Chapter 15: Introducing Google Earth
FIGURE15-1: The basic interface.
The interface is divided into three panels. The panel on the left provides the data points, over-
lays, and search interface that enable you to add data and move around the map using town,
city, and other information point references. The panel at the bottom of the application win-
dow provides an interface for moving and working around the earth. The larger, main panel is
the window to the Google Earth satellite imagery.
Core Functionality
The fundamental difference between Google Maps and Google Earth is the way in which the
satellite imagery can be viewed and manipulated. The satellite images are the same as Google
Maps, but the way in which the data is displayed differs in that it is slightly more fluid than the
Google Maps interface.
For example, the default start position is high above the United States. With Google Earth,
you can tell exactly how high. The information immediately beneath the Google Earth image
provides, from left to right: