MapMe: Map Your World, Budding Amerigo Vespuccis!

I love maps, current and historical. And may I take a moment to point out that, while I am not a fan of Google, Google Maps has it down six ways to Sunday. When you compare it to that piece of poo that Yahoo pitches as a mapping application (that characterization, I remind you, from someone with a bizarre dedication to Yahoo) there's just no way to feel anything but awe for Google Maps.

And the beauty of Google Maps, as has been widely reported, has been Google's willingness to let developers make Google maps their own.

But that's not what MapMe is about. It's about making Google Maps YOUR OWN -- enabling you to create custom maps that identify the places that you and others identify as important, fun, exciting, whatever.

You join, you begin with a Google Map, and add your layer of recommendations and commentary to your chunk of the world. Now that chunk can be a continent, a country, a city, a neighborhood, or even a street.

For example, you could make a map pointing out attractions and accommodations for a trip to Rome. Or create an interactive guide to Washington University in St. Louis. Or create a guide for would be bar crawlers in the Temple Bar.

Or how about this little piece of critical mapping -- the 100 most violent pubs of NSW Australia!



Manhattan raves. Gay friendly accommodations in Amsterdam. Places to bird watch blue herons. The limits are only those in your own imagination.

But the beauty of map making is only partly in the making. It is also in the sharing, and MapMe lets you share on whatever level you feel is appropriate. Share with a few friends, a club, or everyone on earth. You can also, if you choose, allow others to add or comment on your maps so as to improve them with the wisdom of the masses.

You're not just able to put pins on them -- you can add commentary, photos, videos, descriptions, and allow others to comment on the destination you highlight.



It's a really powerful set of tools for travelers and map lovers, and a great way to find people who share your interests. And you don't just have to enjoy your maps on their site -- you can export them in three different sizes and embed them into your own site. Like this:


Download: KML RSS Maps of the World on MapMe.com

Great stuff, indeed. Even greater is that it was built by just 5 people in 6 months. Now, here's my old refrain..."I am not sure how they are going to make money..." But wait, with a small staff and that fact that some of their pages do indeed bear ads, this site does have the potnetial to make some cash. Theoretically, the maps could also support some forms of precise ad targeting by location or context. We'll see how it all shakes out over time.

In the meantime, get mapping. Who knows, your creation might make you as famous as Amerigo!

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to write.