You can search for locations by address or ZIP code or use the simple interface to drop your location onto the map and add a description of where your dropspot is hidden. Similar to the idea of geocaching in which a treasure is hidden and coordinates are provided for clues, “dropspots” are also hidden locations but clues are provided via a Google Maps interface and a description of the treasure’s location.
If you like the idea of geocaching but don’t have a GPS unit, this is an alternative to treasure hunting.
The recipient of the geoGreeting sees a zoom-in animation that spells out the message by finding features on the surface of the earth (mostly buildings) that spell out letters. lets you send e-card style messages comprised of letter-shaped satellite images from Google Maps. Google’s discussion forum for all things relating to Google Maps. PC World offers a “Getting Started with Google’s My Map” overview for those interested in exploring this new tool. These mashups can then be shared with other users. Google offers “My Maps”, a tool that lets anybody create Google Map Mashups embedded with YouTube videos, pictures or web pages. In order to embed Google Maps on your own web site, you will need to sign up for a free Maps API key.
Listed here are resources to help you understand how to embed Google Maps in your own site.
Using Google Maps on individual web sites, called map hacking, is a fast and easy way to add geographic information to personal web sites.