Lab 3

Google Maps - New York City Trip Planner

Neogeography is usually applied to “the usage of geographical techniques and tools used for personal and community activities or for utilization by a non-expert group of users.” In this lab, we learn to use a pre-existing mapping toolkit, Google Maps, to create maps of our own. The map I create is a map that provides information about New York City and some places that might be interesting for tourists of New York City. By using the Google Maps toolkit, it is easy to indicate places and landmarks on the map. Also, the text edit box of the Google Maps is very helpful for putting in information of the places and landmarks, such as pictures, URL of the official websites, videos, and addresses. As more and more people create their own maps and shows information on their maps, the Google Map users are able to absorb more knowledge of the area and its surroundings.

However, there are some pitfalls of using the Google Maps toolkits to create our own maps. For example, I can add a placemark at anywhere and indicate that it is the Statue of Liberty, but in fact it is not where the Statue of Liberty really located. The false information can lead other people who use my map as a reference to the wrong place. Moreover, the accuracy of the map should also be questioned. When I put down a placemark or draw lines that indicate the route, I am not sure that whether the placemark or route is accurate or it is actually off places, I sometimes can only indicate the approximate location and routes.