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Screenshot  Google Earth 9 on Google Chrome | |||||||||
| Original author(s) | Keyhole, Inc. | ||||||||
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| Developer(s) | |||||||||
| Initial release | June 10, 2001 | ||||||||
| Stable release(s) [±] | |||||||||
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| Preview release(s) [±] | |||||||||
| Written in | C++, Dart | ||||||||
| Operating system | |||||||||
| Available in | Various languages | ||||||||
| Type | Virtual globe | ||||||||
| License | Freeware | ||||||||
| Website | earth | ||||||||
Google Earth is a web and computer program that renders a 3D representation of Earth based primarily on satellite imagery. The program maps the Earth by superimposing satellite images, aerial photography, and GIS data onto a 3D globe, allowing users to see cities and landscapes from various angles. Users can explore the globe by entering addresses and coordinates, or by using a keyboard or mouse. The program can also be downloaded on a smartphone or tablet, using a touch screen or stylus to navigate. Users may use the program to add their own data using Keyhole Markup Language and upload them through various sources, such as forums or blogs. Google Earth is able to show various kinds of images overlaid on the surface of the Earth and is also a Web Map Service client. In 2019, Google revealed that Google Earth now covers more than 97 percent of the world, and has captured 10 million miles of Street View imagery.[8]
In addition to Earth navigation, Google Earth provides a series of other tools through the desktop application, including a measure distance tool. Additional globes for the Moon and Mars are available, as well as a tool for viewing the night sky. A flight simulator game is also included. Other features allow users to view photos from various places uploaded to Panoramio, information provided by Wikipedia on some locations, and Street View imagery. The web-based version of Google Earth also includes Voyager, a feature that periodically adds in-program tours, often presented by scientists and documentarians.
Google Earth has been viewed by some as a threat to privacy and national security, leading to the program being banned in multiple countries.[9] Some countries have requested that certain areas be obscured in Google's satellite images, usually areas containing military facilities.
- ^ "See notes on Google Earth releases". Google Support. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ "PPA: Google Earth". UbuntuUpdates. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ "Google Earth". Google Play. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ "Google Earth APKs". APKMirror. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ "Google Earth on the App Store". Apple App Store. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ "Google Earth on Web". Google. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ "Install & uninstall Google Earth Pro". Google Earth Help. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ "Google reveals just how much of the world it's mapped with Street View and Earth". www.theverge.com. December 13, 2019. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
- ^ "US general claims Google Earth is a risk to security". IT PRO. June 22, 2007. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.