Appendix A — Resources 349
icon. The result is a web page that you can download and use in your own applications once
you use your own Google Maps API key.
MapKi
http://mapki.com
A Wiki that provides information and resources on using mapping APIs, including Google
Maps.
Competitors and Alternatives
Although Google Maps and Google Earth are not the first search services available on the
Internet, they were the first to make a publicly available API to enable programmers and other
individuals to embed Google Map–based applications into their own web pages instead of
redirecting users to another site.
MapQuest
http://mapquest.com/
The MapQuest site provides street maps only of the U.S.; Canada; and much of western,
southern, and northern Europe. MapQuest is part of AOL.
Virtual Earth.
Virtual Earth is part of the Microsoft Network (MSN) web site; it overlays satellite imagery
and aerial photography of the earth over a 3D map. As well as providing map-search functions,
Virtual Earth can also show maps according to specific addresses, towns, or cities, or via a busi-
ness name or type search.
Yahoo! Maps
http://maps.yahoo.com/
Yahoo! Maps provides mapping information for the U.S. and Canada.
A9 Maps
Amazon’s search engine, A9, has a mapping service that provides U.S. street maps and driving
directions. In an interesting twist to the basic street-mapping service, A9 Maps also provides
street-level photography that allows you to see what a street looks like in addition to viewing its
location on the map.
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