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	<title>Google Sightseeing &#187; Asia</title>
	<atom:link href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://googlesightseeing.com</link>
	<description>Why bother seeing the world for real?</description>
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		<title>World&#8217;s Tallest Lighthouses</title>
		<link>http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/05/worlds-tallest-lighthouses/</link>
		<comments>http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/05/worlds-tallest-lighthouses/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 13:03:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ian Brown</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Argentina]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[China]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[France]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Italy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Madagascar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[North Carolina]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ohio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Russia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Monuments]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shadows]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Street Views]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Structures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Towers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Watercraft]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://googlesightseeing.com/?p=27373</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For centuries lighthouses have served as navigation aids, helping protect marine traffic from running aground on dangerous coastlines, rocks and reefs. As we’re ever-so-slightly fond of superlatives here at Google Sightseeing, we’ll take a tour of&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For centuries lighthouses have served as navigation aids, helping protect marine traffic from running aground on dangerous coastlines, rocks and reefs. As we’re ever-so-slightly fond of superlatives here at Google Sightseeing, we’ll take a tour of the <strong>tallest lighthouses around the world</strong><sup id="fnref:1"><a href="#fn:1" rel="footnote">1</a></sup>.</p>

<h2>Top ten tallest lighthouses</h2>

<p>The world’s tallest lighthouse is the 133m (436 ft) <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;ll=21.468675,39.149821&amp;spn=0.002079,0.002411&amp;t=h&amp;z=19" class="placemark">Jeddah Light</a> in Saudi Arabia, which doubles as the control tower for this busy commercial port. The white tower and dome can be seen from about 40km away, and it’s a vital marker on this coastline which is dotted with dangerous coral reefs.</p>

<p>The second-tallest lighthouse is technically a monument rather than a true navigational aid, and is unfortunately (for us) located on <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=41.64528,-82.815113&amp;z=13" class="placemark">an island</a> in Lake Erie which is only covered by low-resolution satellite imagery. The 107m (351 ft) tall granite tower has the somewhat unwieldy title of “Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial”, and it commemorates a US naval victory over Britain in the War of 1812.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=41.64528,-82.815113&amp;z=13"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-27383" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l1-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a></p>

<p>Just one metre shorter is the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=35.443943,139.650908&amp;z=19" class="placemark">Yokohama Tower</a> which also stretches the true definition of a lighthouse. While it is illuminated, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=35.444886,139.65242&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.444767,139.651782&amp;cbp=12,218.1,,1,-22.22" class="placemark">the tower</a> mainly serves as a tourist attraction with an observation deck and restaurant offering views of the city.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=35.443943,139.650908&amp;z=19"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-27384" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l3-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=35.444886,139.65242&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.444767,139.651782&amp;cbp=12,218.1,,1,-22.22"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27385" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l4-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" /></a></p>

<p>From here on we’re looking at more traditional lighthouses, built solely to serve as beacons for shipping. The fourth tallest lighthouse is found on the island of <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=48.638815,-4.567434&amp;z=19" class="placemark">Île Vierge</a> off the north-west coast of France. Built in the late 1800s, this lighthouse (like many around the world) has today been automated, though in this case a lighthouse keeper still lives on site. Despite the hazy image, Street View from the nearest point on the mainland gives us a good idea of how <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=48.6341,-4.537868&amp;z=15&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=48.631464,-4.545533&amp;cbp=12,298.08903140080514,,3.3200000000000003,-0.7690286673833154" class="placemark">immense</a> it is.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=48.638815,-4.567434&amp;z=19"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-27386" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l5-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=48.6341,-4.537868&amp;z=15&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=48.631464,-4.545533&amp;cbp=12,298.08903140080514,,3.3200000000000003,-0.7690286673833154"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27387" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l6-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" /></a></p>

<p>The <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=44.406017,8.906924&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=44.405741,8.906751&amp;cbp=12,239.97,,2,-16.42" class="placemark"><em>Lanterna</em></a> is one of the most famous landmarks in the Italian port of Genoa, and a lighthouse has stood on this spot since the 12th century.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=44.406017,8.906924&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=44.405741,8.906751&amp;cbp=12,239.97,,2,-16.42"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-27388" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l7-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>The existing 77m (253 ft) tall structure dates to the 16th century, though it has been repaired many times following damage from lightning strikes and military action. While it’s <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=44.40791,8.918924&amp;z=14&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=44.40787,8.918867&amp;cbp=12,251.26395427960566,,2.99,-2.1270042933501596" class="placemark">visible</a> from many parts of the city, it really needs to be seen from up close to be truly appreciated. There’s also a good museum at its base, though you’ll need to <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=44.406017,8.906924&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=44.405741,8.906751&amp;cbp=12,225.30747090768037,,2,-6.64498060512025" class="placemark">find your way past the busy ramps</a> used by trucks going to and from the port.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=44.40791,8.918924&amp;z=14&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=44.40787,8.918867&amp;cbp=12,251.26395427960566,,2.99,-2.1270042933501596"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-27389" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l8-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>Back to France for the sixth tallest lighthouse – the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=49.694438,-1.267247&amp;z=16&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=49.694371,-1.267208&amp;cbp=12,23.78,,1,-8.26" class="placemark">Phare de Gatteville</a>. At 75m (246 ft), the granite tower was the tallest in the world when it was constructed in the 1830s.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=49.694438,-1.267247&amp;z=16&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=49.694371,-1.267208&amp;cbp=12,23.78,,1,-8.26"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-27390" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l9-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>The recent launch of Street View imagery in Russia gives us a good look at the seventh tallest lighthouse – the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=59.875198,30.218325&amp;z=14&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=59.87527,30.218203&amp;cbp=12,345.28,,3,-8.33" class="placemark">Lesnoy Mole Rear Range Light</a> in the commercial port of St Petersburg. The distinctive red and white stripes of this 73m (240 ft) tall structure also identify it as a range light – a marker to help sea traffic approach a narrow channel.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=59.875198,30.218325&amp;z=14&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=59.87527,30.218203&amp;cbp=12,345.28,,3,-8.33"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-27391" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l10-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>The eighth and ninth tallest are just a few kilometres apart on Hainan island in China. The <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=20.160206,110.684654&amp;z=19" class="placemark">Mulantou</a> and <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=20.07133,110.31411&amp;z=19" class="placemark">Baishamen</a> lighthouses are both 72m (236 ft) tall and mark the narrow strait between the island and the mainland.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=20.160206,110.684654&amp;z=19"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27392" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l11-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=20.07133,110.31411&amp;z=19"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-27393" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l12-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a></p>

<p>Finally, the tenth tallest lighthouse in the world is the Storozhenskiy Light on Russia’s Lake Ladoga, but sadly it <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=60.527478,32.621669&amp;ll=60.527479,32.62167&amp;spn=0.008636,0.026822&amp;t=h&amp;z=16">isn’t visible on satellite view</a> yet.</p>

<h2>Tall lighthouses around the world</h2>

<p>The tallest lighthouse in the southern hemisphere is the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=-38.991016,-61.259894&amp;z=19" class="placemark">Recalada a Bahía Blanca Light</a> in Argentina – a 67m (220 ft) tall iron tower allegedly built by the same company that built the Eiffel Tower.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=-38.991016,-61.259894&amp;z=19"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-27394" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l13-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>The recently launched Street View imagery in Poland allows us to see the world’s tallest brick lighthouse – the 65m (213 ft) tall <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=53.915057,14.275231&amp;z=15&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=53.915135,14.27528&amp;cbp=12,83.43,,3,-3.63" class="placemark">Świnoujście Lighthouse</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=53.915057,14.275231&amp;z=15&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=53.915135,14.27528&amp;cbp=12,83.43,,3,-3.63"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-27395" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l14-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>The tallest lighthouse in the US is the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=35.251341,-75.527519&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.251408,-75.527325&amp;cbp=12,238.59,,1,-13.72" class="placemark">Cape Hatteras Light</a> in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Originally built in the 1860s, the structure was moved inland several hundred metres in 1999 to protect it from shore erosion. <a href="http://vimeo.com/30884463">This video</a> shows how it was moved.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=35.251341,-75.527519&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.251408,-75.527325&amp;cbp=12,238.59,,1,-13.72"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-27396" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l15-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>The UK’s tallest lighthouse sits on a remote rock called Skerryvore <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;q=56.323333,-7.115&amp;ll=56.340901,-6.712646&amp;spn=1.268078,2.469177&amp;t=h&amp;z=9" class="placemark">off the west coast of Scotland</a>, and isn’t visible on Google Maps, so instead let’s travel to Africa, where the tallest lighthouse is the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=-18.049024,49.460119&amp;z=19" class="placemark">Nosy Alañaña Light</a> on the tiny Île aux Prunes off Madagascar.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=27373&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=-18.049024,49.460119&amp;z=19"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-27397" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/l16-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<div class="footnotes">
<hr /><ol><li id="fn:1">
<p>Note that many don’t consider the first three to be real lighthouses, so in many cases the ‘tallest’ listing starts with the fourth on this list. <a href="#fnref:1" rev="footnote">↩</a></p>
</li>

</ol></div>
<p>    
    Locations: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/south-america/argentina/" title="View all posts in Argentina" rel="category tag">Argentina</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/china/" title="View all posts in China" rel="category tag">China</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/france/" title="View all posts in France" rel="category tag">France</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/italy/" title="View all posts in Italy" rel="category tag">Italy</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/japan/" title="View all posts in Japan" rel="category tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/africa/madagascar/" title="View all posts in Madagascar" rel="category tag">Madagascar</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/states/northcarolina/" title="View all posts in North Carolina" rel="category tag">North Carolina</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/states/ohio/" title="View all posts in Ohio" rel="category tag">Ohio</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/poland/" title="View all posts in Poland" rel="category tag">Poland</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/russia/" title="View all posts in Russia" rel="category tag">Russia</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/saudi-arabia/" title="View all posts in Saudi Arabia" rel="category tag">Saudi Arabia</a> / Categories: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/monuments/" rel="tag">Monuments</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/shadows/" rel="tag">Shadows</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/street-views/" rel="tag">Street Views</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/structures/" rel="tag">Structures</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/towers/" rel="tag">Towers</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/watercraft/" rel="tag">Watercraft</a></p>
<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/gearth/worlds-tallest-lighthouses.kml" class="">View in Google Earth</a></p>	
	
<br />


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You're reading an entry from <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com">Google Sightseeing</a>, which is copyright &copy; 2012 Alex Turnbull &amp; James Turnbull and must not be reproduced without permission.]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Top 5 Worst Traffic Cities in the World</title>
		<link>http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/05/top-5-worst-traffic-cities-in-the-world/</link>
		<comments>http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/05/top-5-worst-traffic-cities-in-the-world/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 11:30:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris Hannigan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[China]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[India]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mexico]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Russia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[45˚ Imagery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crowds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Other Vehicles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Street Views]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://googlesightseeing.com/?p=26219</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Nobody likes traffic. The frequent starts and stops just to roll another few feet can grind away at anyone’s mind. Well, if you’re planning a trip soon, you might want to avoid the following destinations! They&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Nobody likes traffic. The frequent starts and stops just to roll another few feet can grind away at anyone’s mind. Well, if you’re planning a trip soon, you might want to avoid the following destinations! They were determined by an <a href="http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/32017.wss">IBM survey</a> to be the world’s top 5 worst cities for traffic!</p>

<p><strong>5: New Delhi</strong></p>

<p>Our first mention takes us to India’s capital city, New Delhi, which is home to a population of nearly 14 million within its metropolitan area. From those who responded in the IBM survey, 62 percent say traffic has negatively impacted their school or job performance, and 96 percent say traffic has negatively affected their overall health! Looking from above, it’s hard to spot any real lane usage by any of the multitude of <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=28.671447,77.269139&amp;z=18" class="placemark">buses, cars, and rickshaws</a>!</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=28.645983,77.208904&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/traffic011-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27050" /></a>
<a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=28.671447,77.269139&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/traffic02-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27051" /></a></p>

<p><strong>4: Moscow</strong></p>

<p>64 percent of the surveyed commuters in Russia’s capital city said that the city’s traffic nightmares have worsened in the last three years, and the city ranked worst on the average duration of its traffic jams. It’s got to be nerve-racking to know that once you hit traffic, the average expected delay is nearly two-and-a-half hours! At least people are somewhat following lanes here <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=55.771335,37.633088&amp;z=15&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=55.771702,37.632377&amp;cbp=12,186.55246252676665,,1,7.3233404710920755" class="placemark">behind</a> the street view car.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=55.771335,37.633088&amp;z=15"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/traffic03-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27052" /></a>
<a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=55.771335,37.633088&amp;z=15&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=55.771702,37.632377&amp;cbp=12,186.55246252676665,,1,7.3233404710920755"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/traffic04-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27053" /></a></p>

<p><strong>3: Johannesburg</strong></p>

<p>South Africa’s largest city of Johannesburg ranks the highest amongst those cities commuters believe have worsened over the past three years. Eighty percent of those surveyed agreed that the traffic situation isn’t getting any better, and the city scored 97 points out of 100 on the scale of the emotional and economic toll of commuting. We have access to the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=-26.213057,28.055933&amp;z=19" class="placemark">45° Imagery</a> on Google Maps this time to get a closer look, and sure enough the delays are easy to find.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=-26.213057,28.055933&amp;z=19"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/traffic05-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27054" /></a>
<a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=-26.211724,28.028648&amp;z=20"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/traffic06-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27055" /></a></p>

<p><strong>2: Mexico City</strong></p>

<p>Mexico’s capital city scored a nearly “perfect” 99 out 100 on the survey. More than half of the commuters surveyed say that traffic has negatively affected their school or job performance. Just like before, it doesn’t take long to find some backups with <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=19.416876,-99.091398&amp;z=15&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=19.419382,-99.094803&amp;cbp=12,-56.081370449678815,,1,8.383297644539615" class="placemark">Google’s street view</a> car. Looks like we could be here a while.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=19.407526,-99.077408&amp;z=19"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/traffic07-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27056" /></a>
<a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=19.416876,-99.091398&amp;z=15&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=19.419382,-99.094803&amp;cbp=12,-56.081370449678815,,1,8.383297644539615"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/traffic08-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27057" /></a></p>

<p><strong>1: Beijing</strong></p>

<p>Ranking the highest (or worst) on our list is China’s capital city of Beijing, which is home to nearly 20 million people. Even outside of rush hour, many roads to and from Beijing remain <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=39.898681,116.431944&amp;z=18" class="placemark">clogged with traffic</a>. The daily rush in traffic also causes air quality issues around the city; so much so that during the 2008  Olympic games, drivers were only allowed to drive on either even or odd days (based on their license plate number). Today, Beijing has a limit on how many license plates they issue a month to try to control the number of vehicles, and non-Beijing plated cars are banned from entering certain areas of the city during rush hour.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=39.898681,116.431944&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/traffic09-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27058" /></a>
<a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=39.90192,116.571666&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/traffic10-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27059" /></a></p>

<p>Beijing also holds the record for the world’s worst traffic jam… ever! In 2010, a clog between Beijing and Jining <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/aug/23/worlds-worst-traffic-jam">stretched for 100 kilometres</a> (62 miles), and lasted nearly a month! Needless to say it took a large effort from hundreds of police to keep order. Hoping to catch a glimpse from Google, all we could find on the imagery today was this <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=40.347082,116.014528&amp;z=18" class="placemark">little congestion</a> near the Great Wall.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26219&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=40.347082,116.014528&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/traffic11-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-27060" /></a></p>
<p>    
    Locations: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/china/" title="View all posts in China" rel="category tag">China</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/india/" title="View all posts in India" rel="category tag">India</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/mexico/" title="View all posts in Mexico" rel="category tag">Mexico</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/russia/" title="View all posts in Russia" rel="category tag">Russia</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/africa/south-africa/" title="View all posts in South Africa" rel="category tag">South Africa</a> / Categories: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/45%cb%9a-imagery/" rel="tag">45˚ Imagery</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/crowds/" rel="tag">Crowds</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/other-vehicles/" rel="tag">Other Vehicles</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/street-views/" rel="tag">Street Views</a></p>
<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/gearth/top-5-worst-traffic-cities-in-the-world.kml" class="">View in Google Earth</a></p>	
	
<br />


<hr />

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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Street View Competitors, Part 2</title>
		<link>http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/04/street-view-competitors-part-2/</link>
		<comments>http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/04/street-view-competitors-part-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:26:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kyle Kusch</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Belarus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[China]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greece]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Romania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buildings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crowds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Monuments]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Landmarks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stadiums and Sport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Street Views]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://googlesightseeing.com/?p=26824</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today, we continue our tour of street-level imagery in places Google Street View hasn’t reached yet! Here are more images from the numerous services that not only offer their own street-level imagery but have beaten Google to the punch in numerous cities around the globe.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today, we continue our tour of street-level imagery in places Google Street View hasn’t reached yet!<sup id="fnref:1"><a href="#fn:1" rel="footnote">1</a></sup>  Here are more images from the numerous services that not only offer their own street-level imagery but have beaten Google to the punch in numerous cities around the globe.</p>

<p>One of the newest entrants into the street-level imagery field is the Chinese search engine <a href="http://map.soso.com/">Soso</a>, which gives us a first-hand look at the <a href="http://map.soso.com/?l=23157739">portrait of Mao Zedong</a> that hangs above Tiananmen Gate.</p>

<p><a href="http://map.soso.com/?l=23157739"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/SOSOmao.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26828" /></a></p>

<p>In addition to covering major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hainan, Soso gives viewers a rare look into the steppes, deserts, and mountains of Qinghai and Tibet; for example, this <a href="http://map.soso.com/?l=23156898">breathtaking mountain lake</a> in the Himalayan foothills.</p>

<p><a href="http://map.soso.com/?l=23156898"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/SOSOtib.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26827" /></a></p>

<p>The Tibetan capital of Lhasa was captured on a <a href="http://map.soso.com/?l=23154962">busy market day</a>, where we can see numerous statues of Buddha for sale in <a href="http://map.soso.com/?l=23155119">this stall</a> (and numerous marketgoers in protective surgical masks).</p>

<p><a href="http://map.soso.com/?l=23154962"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/SOSOmar-150x112.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26825" /></a> <a href="http://map.soso.com/?l=23155119"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/SOSOsta-150x112.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26826" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://maps.interfax.by/">Interfax</a> is a Belarusian site that has fairly extensive street-level imagery in the cities of Minsk and Hrodna.  It’s not especially high-resolution, but we do get fantastic shots of places such as the <a href="http://maps.interfax.by/minsk#map=pano&amp;pano_id=25135">main intersection in Minsk</a> – yes, even the largely advert-free capital has a McDonald’s – and the palatial-yet-futuristic <a href="http://maps.interfax.by/grodno#map=pano&amp;pano_id=1774">Drama Theatre of Hrodna</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://maps.interfax.by/minsk#map=pano&amp;pano_id=25135"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IFmin-316x211.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26830" /></a> <a href="http://maps.interfax.by/grodno#map=pano&amp;pano_id=1774"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IFgro-150x112.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26829" /></a></p>

<p>Offering imagery at an even lower resolution is Greece’s <a href="http://kapou.gr/">Kapou</a>.  For example, here’s a full-size shot of the legendary Panathinaiko Stadium, birthplace of the modern Olympics in 1896.  Kind of underwhelming, isn’t it?</p>

<p><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kapou.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26831" /></p>

<p>By contrast, the Romanian site <a href="http://www.norc.ro/">NORC</a> is loaded with high-res imagery in Eastern and Central Europe.  While Google have a fairly decent presence in Romania, one place they have yet to visit is the Danube River.  NORC not only did that, it did so by mounting its camera on a boat, allowing viewers to travel right down the middle of the Danube, through the forest and swamps of the Danube delta and right into the Black Sea.</p>

<p><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/NORCdan2.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26833" /></p>

<p><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/NORCdan1.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26832" /></p>

<p>Amarillas, the Chilean answer to the Yellow Pages, host what they call <a href="http://planos.amarillas.cl/">Street Diving</a> on their Planos mapping service for the capital of Santiago.  Founded in 1541, the city is home to <a href="http://planos.amarillas.cl/?sd=73815;-67.1;-9.8&amp;ll=-33.442913,-70.646149">numerous historic buildings</a>, including the <a href="http://planos.amarillas.cl/?ll=-33.44610732198834,-70.64638520503448&amp;z=2&amp;id=-101">Palacio de La Moneda</a>, the seat of the Chilean president.</p>

<p><a href="http://planos.amarillas.cl/?sd=73815;-67.1;-9.8&amp;ll=-33.442913,-70.646149"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/PLsan-150x112.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26835" /></a> <a href="http://planos.amarillas.cl/?ll=-33.44610732198834,-70.64638520503448&amp;z=2&amp;id=-101"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/PLsan2-150x112.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26834" /></a></p>

<p>We end our look at Street View rivals with <a href="http://www.mapjack.com/">MapJack</a>, which currently shows high-resolution coverage in the major Thai tourist region of Phuket.  Not only are the roadways covered, but beaches as well (sometimes in the same shot).</p>

<p><strong>ED:</strong> <em>Remember what we said in <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/03/street-view-competitors-part-1/">Part 1</a> about Google uploading new Polish imagery between the time this article was submitted last week and now?  Yup, they <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26824&amp;c=&amp;ll=13.747389,100.524902&amp;spn=0.472217,0.727158&amp;t=h&amp;z=11&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=13.745416,100.535559&amp;panoid=3aRQJGy9nyV_mNZuYrR7mw&amp;cbp=12,283.27,,0,8.41" class="placemark">released imagery for Thailand</a> that day as well.  Fortunately for MapJack, as you’ll see below, they’ve still got imagery in places Google haven’t reached yet. It should also be said that MapJack’s imagery is much sunnier.</em></p>

<p><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MJpat-316x211.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26838" /><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MJarch-150x112.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26836" /></p>

<p>At Phang Nga Bay, MapJack even takes you right onto the beach, where there doesn’t seem to be a soul in sight – a rather relaxing way to end our tour (preferably lying on a deck chair with a stiff beverage in hand).</p>

<p><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MJbch.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26837" /></p>

<div class="footnotes">
<hr /><ol><li id="fn:1">
<p>Please note that depending upon the image service, it’s not necessarily possible to directly link to imagery in a certain location. <a href="#fnref:1" rev="footnote">↩</a></p>
</li>

</ol></div>
<p>    
    Locations: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/belarus/" title="View all posts in Belarus" rel="category tag">Belarus</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/south-america/chile/" title="View all posts in Chile" rel="category tag">Chile</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/china/" title="View all posts in China" rel="category tag">China</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/greece/" title="View all posts in Greece" rel="category tag">Greece</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/romania/" title="View all posts in Romania" rel="category tag">Romania</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/thailand/" title="View all posts in Thailand" rel="category tag">Thailand</a> / Categories: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/buildings/" rel="tag">Buildings</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/crowds/" rel="tag">Crowds</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/monuments/" rel="tag">Monuments</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/natural-landmarks/" rel="tag">Natural Landmarks</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/stadiums-and-sport/" rel="tag">Stadiums and Sport</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/street-views/" rel="tag">Street Views</a></p>
<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/gearth/street-view-competitors-part-2.kml" class="">View in Google Earth</a></p>	
	
<br />


<hr />

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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Street View Competitors, Part 1</title>
		<link>http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/03/street-view-competitors-part-1/</link>
		<comments>http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/03/street-view-competitors-part-1/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:01:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kyle Kusch</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Iraq]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kazakhstan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Russia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Turkey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ukraine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buildings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Monuments]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Street Views]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Structures]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://googlesightseeing.com/?p=26807</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Google Street View may be ever-expanding in its reach, but it’s still a long way from covering the entire world.  There are numerous services that not only offer their own street-level imagery but have beaten Google to the punch in numerous cities around the globe.  That got us wondering just what we’re missing from other sites over here at Google Sightseeing, so join us as we take a two-part tour of street-level imagery in places Street View hasn’t reached yet!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Google Street View may be ever-expanding in its reach, but it’s still a long way from covering the entire world.  In fact, there are numerous services that not only offer their own street-level imagery but have beaten Google to the punch in numerous cities around the globe.  That got us wondering just what we’re missing from other sites over here at Google Sightseeing, so join us as we take a two-part tour of street-level imagery in places Street View hasn’t reached yet!<sup id="fnref:1"><a href="#fn:1" rel="footnote">1</a></sup></p>

<p>In February 2012, Google added Moscow and St. Petersburg to their roster of Street View cities, but the major Russian-language search engine, <a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/">Yandex</a>, beat them to it by a couple of years.  In fact, Yandex likely has the largest repository of street-level imagery outside of Google and Bing with coverage in 150 major Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian cities.  Here, we can see such sights as the <a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CJvOR-ps">historic museums of Khabarovsk</a> in the far east and historic wooded churches such as <a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CJvOnQ~6">this one</a> in the Arctic city of Arkhangelsk.</p>

<p><a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CJvOR-ps"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/YANkha.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26811" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CJvOnQ~6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/YANdom.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26809" /></a></p>

<p>Of course, if you like good old-fashioned oppressively bleak <a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CJvSEQpl">Soviet-era apartment blocks</a>, you can see plenty of those, too.</p>

<p><a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CJvSEQpl"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/YANapt-316x211.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26808" /></a></p>

<p>Yandex’s coverage also extends into Kazakhstan, where the capital of Astana has seen a massive amount of opulent new construction since it was designated capital in 1997.  The sprawling <a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CJvOJBzT">parliament</a> complex, for example, looks pristine.  On the opposite end of the capital district, the <a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CJvOFMZM">Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre</a> was built in 2006 in the form of a giant transparent tent covering a whopping 14 hectares (35 acres).</p>

<p><a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CJvOJBzT"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/YANpar.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26813" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CJvOFMZM"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/YANksec-316x211.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26812" /></a></p>

<p>Yandex also beat Google to the punch in reaching Turkey.  Along the <a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CJv8NLPA">Bosporus Bridge</a> in Istanbul, we’re able to see both Europe on the left and Asia on the right.</p>

<p><a href="http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CJv8NLPA"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/YANist.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26810" /></a></p>

<p>Speaking of Turkey, the website <a href="http://www.dunya360.com/goynuk360/">Dunya360</a> also provides street-level imagery, but only for the Turkish mountain town of Göynük (population 4,900), known for its steep, narrow cobblestone streets.</p>

<p><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/D3601-150x112.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26816" /><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/D3602-150x112.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26817" /></p>

<p>Also specialising in single-city imagery is <a href="http://www.ierbil.com/erbil-street-view">iErbil</a>, the major English-language web portal for Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.   The ultra high-resolution imagery covers numerous locations throughout the city, including the towering statue of the 13th century historian Ibn al-Mustafwi that sits atop city’s historic citadel.</p>

<p><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ERBibn.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26818" /></p>

<p>Other major attractions available on iErbil imagery include the 922-year-old Mudhafaria Minaret and the massive gate that welcomes visitors to Shanadar Park (note the tourist tramway in the background).</p>

<p><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ERBmin-150x112.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26819" /><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ERBsha-150x112.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26820" /></p>

<p>We end this part of the tour with the Polish site <a href="http://mapy.zumi.pl/">Zumi</a>, which has imagery for the central business district of Poland’s major cities.  Among the sights to be seen here are Warsaw’s massive <a href="http://mapy.zumi.pl/,Warszawa,,21.009853,52.232739,1,1,index.html?loc=Warszawa?panoType=sv&amp;id=war02263&amp;pan=94.63155987045329&amp;tilt=-18.36578877699453&amp;fov=81&amp;panLat=52.232739&amp;panLon=21.009853">Palace of Culture and Science</a> (the eighth tallest building in the EU) and the sprawling <a href="http://mapy.zumi.pl/,Warszawa,,19.936298,50.06204,1,1,index.html?loc=Warszawa?panoType=sv&amp;id=kra01458&amp;pan=-97.94498328745527&amp;tilt=-14.166183563836812&amp;fov=75&amp;panLat=50.06204&amp;panLon=19.936298">Main Market Square</a> of Krakow.  Dating back to the 13th century, it remains the largest mediaeval town square in Europe.</p>

<p><strong>ED:</strong> <em>Since this article was submitted just last week, Google have only gone and <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26807&amp;c=&amp;tw=1450&amp;p=&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=52.230465,21.004252&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=52.230465,21.004252&amp;cbp=12,40.226023391812866,,1,-20.185730994152046" class="placemark">released imagery in Poland</a>! Insert your own Big Brother joke here.</em></p>

<p><a href="http://mapy.zumi.pl/,Warszawa,,21.009853,52.232739,1,1,index.html?loc=Warszawa?panoType=sv&amp;id=war02263&amp;pan=94.63155987045329&amp;tilt=-18.36578877699453&amp;fov=81&amp;panLat=52.232739&amp;panLon=21.009853"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ZUMwar.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26815" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://mapy.zumi.pl/,Warszawa,,19.936298,50.06204,1,1,index.html?loc=Warszawa?panoType=sv&amp;id=kra01458&amp;pan=-97.94498328745527&amp;tilt=-14.166183563836812&amp;fov=75&amp;panLat=50.06204&amp;panLon=19.936298"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ZUMkra.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26814" /></a></p>

<p> </p>

<div class="footnotes">
<hr /><ol><li id="fn:1">
<p>Please note that depending upon the image service, it’s not necessarily possible to directly link to imagery in a certain location. <a href="#fnref:1" rev="footnote">↩</a></p>
</li>

</ol></div>
<p>    
    Locations: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/iraq/" title="View all posts in Iraq" rel="category tag">Iraq</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/kazakhstan/" title="View all posts in Kazakhstan" rel="category tag">Kazakhstan</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/poland/" title="View all posts in Poland" rel="category tag">Poland</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/russia/" title="View all posts in Russia" rel="category tag">Russia</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/turkey-2/" title="View all posts in Turkey" rel="category tag">Turkey</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/ukraine/" title="View all posts in Ukraine" rel="category tag">Ukraine</a> / Categories: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/buildings/" rel="tag">Buildings</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/monuments/" rel="tag">Monuments</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/street-views/" rel="tag">Street Views</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/structures/" rel="tag">Structures</a></p>
<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/gearth/street-view-competitors-part-1.kml" class="">View in Google Earth</a></p>	
	
<br />


<hr />

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		<title>Einstein Is Everywhere</title>
		<link>http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/03/einstein-is-everywhere/</link>
		<comments>http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/03/einstein-is-everywhere/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:39:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kyle Kusch</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Alberta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brazil]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Czech Republic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Jersey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ontario]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Switzerland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taiwan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Monuments]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Weirdness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://googlesightseeing.com/?p=26235</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The 14th of March marks the 133rd birthday of the most famous theoretical physicist in history, Albert Einstein.  While the man passed on nearly six decades ago, his name remains synonymous with genius and intellectual capability.  Now, we could devote an entry to the myriad institutions and statues dedicated in his honour, or we could show you his greatest legacy of all - that of a corporate pitchman!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The 14th of March marks the 133rd birthday of the most famous theoretical physicist in history, Albert Einstein.  While the man passed on nearly six decades ago, his name remains synonymous with genius and intellectual capability.  Now, we could devote an entry to the myriad buildings and institutions named for him, the houses he lived in that have become historic landmarks and museums such as in <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=46.948006,7.449825&amp;spn=0.010312,0.022724&amp;t=h&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=46.948019,7.450043&amp;panoid=s67YpahIoEtSS6aVqdkNXg&amp;cbp=12,205.24,,1,-5.01" class="placemark">Bern, Switzerland</a> and <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=40.343551,-74.667013&amp;spn=0.011514,0.022724&amp;t=h&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=40.343481,-74.667064&amp;panoid=M1qOSJqRrVZK_pMLIR7O7w&amp;cbp=12,136.27,,0,-2.38" class="placemark">Princeton, New Jersey</a>, or the statues dedicated in his name such as <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=-35.2987,149.131744&amp;spn=0.012329,0.022724&amp;t=h&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-35.298912,149.13155&amp;panoid=RIe7NbYXIKzoMUPmkG1BDA&amp;cbp=12,341.84,,1,5.75" class="placemark">this one</a> in the Australian capital of Canberra…</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=46.948006,7.449825&amp;spn=0.010312,0.022724&amp;t=h&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=46.948019,7.450043&amp;panoid=s67YpahIoEtSS6aVqdkNXg&amp;cbp=12,205.24,,1,-5.01"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AEeh-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26239" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=40.343551,-74.667013&amp;spn=0.011514,0.022724&amp;t=h&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=40.343481,-74.667064&amp;panoid=M1qOSJqRrVZK_pMLIR7O7w&amp;cbp=12,136.27,,0,-2.38"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AEae-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26236" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=-35.2987,149.131744&amp;spn=0.012329,0.022724&amp;t=h&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-35.298912,149.13155&amp;panoid=RIe7NbYXIKzoMUPmkG1BDA&amp;cbp=12,341.84,,1,5.75"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AEcan-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26238" /></a></p>

<p>…but why write about things like that when we can show you a <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=33.127136,-117.311041&amp;spn=0.002236,0.00284&amp;t=h&amp;z=19&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=33.127235,-117.31084&amp;panoid=uTJsXKiE-f6ki3n6HzbtGQ&amp;cbp=12,158.3,,0,3.14" class="placemark">giant Einstein head</a> made out of Lego bricks!</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=33.127136,-117.311041&amp;spn=0.002236,0.00284&amp;t=h&amp;z=19&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=33.127235,-117.31084&amp;panoid=uTJsXKiE-f6ki3n6HzbtGQ&amp;cbp=12,158.3,,0,3.14"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AElego-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26242" /></a></p>

<p>Yes, the symbol of scientific intellectual rebellion is just as familiar these days as an icon of advertising.  From <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=40.7587,-73.985005&amp;spn=0.001438,0.00284&amp;t=h&amp;z=19&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=40.758874,-73.98488&amp;panoid=nK8pOZaCjxxTJR29_gtvDA&amp;cbp=12,260.05,,1,-21.76" class="placemark">giant posters on Broadway</a> chiding passers-by to assert themselves, to <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=51.040343,-114.058708&amp;spn=0.009498,0.022724&amp;t=h&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=51.040343,-114.058708&amp;panoid=nzs0s9mNZVbnNW0HlBv0jA&amp;cbp=12,24.14,,0,-10.03" class="placemark">giant adverts for real estate developers</a> painted on the sides of inner-city tattoo parlours, Albert Einstein is indeed everywhere – and he’s here to sell!<sup id="fnref:1"><a href="#fn:1" rel="footnote">1</a></sup></p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=40.7587,-73.985005&amp;spn=0.001438,0.00284&amp;t=h&amp;z=19&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=40.758874,-73.98488&amp;panoid=nK8pOZaCjxxTJR29_gtvDA&amp;cbp=12,260.05,,1,-21.76"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AEpost-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26245" /></a>
<a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=51.040343,-114.058708&amp;spn=0.009498,0.022724&amp;t=h&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=51.040343,-114.058708&amp;panoid=nzs0s9mNZVbnNW0HlBv0jA&amp;cbp=12,24.14,,0,-10.03"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AEopus-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26243" /></a></p>

<p>For example, check out this fairly detailed mural of Einstein on a windswept beach on the side of this <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=-23.592297,-46.546079&amp;spn=0.006922,0.011362&amp;t=h&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-23.592233,-46.546195&amp;panoid=bn52-eDGYmIT2mLHTEYknQ&amp;cbp=12,151.19,,2,2.46" class="placemark">Sao Paulo surfboard shop</a>.  His Hawaiian shirt even gets painted different colours based on the season.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=-23.592297,-46.546079&amp;spn=0.006922,0.011362&amp;t=h&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-23.592233,-46.546195&amp;panoid=bn52-eDGYmIT2mLHTEYknQ&amp;cbp=12,151.19,,2,2.46"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AEsp-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26246" /></a></p>

<p>Quite strangely, Einstein is the mascot for a <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=25.024105,121.497309&amp;spn=0.006844,0.011362&amp;t=h&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=25.024184,121.497268&amp;panoid=IRTXy0Bf1mQakv9vg9YqgA&amp;cbp=12,133.96,,1,-1.44" class="placemark">barber shop in Taipei</a>, because if there’s one hairstyle anyone wants to emulate, it’s Albert Einstein’s.  ‘Yeah, I’ll have the “just inserted my finger in an electrical outlet”, thank you.’</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=25.024105,121.497309&amp;spn=0.006844,0.011362&amp;t=h&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=25.024184,121.497268&amp;panoid=IRTXy0Bf1mQakv9vg9YqgA&amp;cbp=12,133.96,,1,-1.44"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AEtai-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26247" /></a></p>

<p>Then, of course, there are the businesses which have aped the man’s name entirely.  In particular, Einstein seems to be popular with restaurants.  A university cafe like <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=43.658426,-79.397367&amp;spn=0.005464,0.011362&amp;t=h&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=43.658392,-79.397525&amp;panoid=UBoe71UPbecnwwtKvSmFMA&amp;cbp=13,147.59,,1,4.42" class="placemark">this one</a> at the University of Toronto?  Makes sense.   A <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=50.084633,14.44857&amp;spn=0.009363,0.022724&amp;t=h&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=50.084633,14.44857&amp;panoid=r7MnpgsYlVv2AYlN6mscwg&amp;cbp=12,4.3,,0,1.36" class="placemark">pizzeria</a> in Prague?  Not so much.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=43.658426,-79.397367&amp;spn=0.005464,0.011362&amp;t=h&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=43.658392,-79.397525&amp;panoid=UBoe71UPbecnwwtKvSmFMA&amp;cbp=13,147.59,,1,4.42"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AEcaf-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26237" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=50.084633,14.44857&amp;spn=0.009363,0.022724&amp;t=h&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=50.084633,14.44857&amp;panoid=r7MnpgsYlVv2AYlN6mscwg&amp;cbp=12,4.3,,0,1.36"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AEpiz-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-26244" /></a></p>

<p>The most unlikely Einstein-related business, however, may be this <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=38.782437,-0.447221&amp;spn=0.002944,0.005681&amp;t=h&amp;z=18&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=38.782255,-0.447275&amp;panoid=NZ_XhuZ524l-2QOWYCiIeA&amp;cbp=12,319.01,,0,1.52" class="placemark">dance club</a> in Muro del Alcoy, Valencia, which prominently features <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=38.782257,-0.447274&amp;spn=0.002944,0.005681&amp;t=h&amp;z=18&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=38.782341,-0.447253&amp;panoid=Q-dGbOzOy53Wo3V4IAZ-PQ&amp;cbp=12,309.51,,0,8.58" class="placemark">a mural of Einstein</a> next to a DJ in the middle of a set.  One can only wonder which side old Albie would have taken in the UK funky/two-step revival debate.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=38.782437,-0.447221&amp;spn=0.002944,0.005681&amp;t=h&amp;z=18&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=38.782255,-0.447275&amp;panoid=NZ_XhuZ524l-2QOWYCiIeA&amp;cbp=12,319.01,,0,1.52"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AEein1-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26240" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=26235&amp;c=&amp;ll=38.782257,-0.447274&amp;spn=0.002944,0.005681&amp;t=h&amp;z=18&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=38.782341,-0.447253&amp;panoid=Q-dGbOzOy53Wo3V4IAZ-PQ&amp;cbp=12,309.51,,0,8.58"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AEein2-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26241" /></a></p>

<p>This Einstein Day, don’t get sucked in by all of this crass commercialism.  When your family is gathered around the wormhole in the sitting room tonight to sing relativity carols and watch Yahoo Serious movies, remember the real reason for the season.</p>

<div class="footnotes">
<hr /><ol><li id="fn:1">
<p>Right here is where you’d normally see some sort of half-formed pun about the ‘Theory of Buyability’, ‘E=MC Savings’ or something like that, but the author is a lazy git. <a href="#fnref:1" rev="footnote">↩</a></p>
</li>

</ol></div>
<p>    
    Locations: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/canada/alberta/" title="View all posts in Alberta" rel="category tag">Alberta</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/australia/australia-2/" title="View all posts in Australia" rel="category tag">Australia</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/south-america/brazil/" title="View all posts in Brazil" rel="category tag">Brazil</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/czech-republic/" title="View all posts in Czech Republic" rel="category tag">Czech Republic</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/states/newjersey/" title="View all posts in New Jersey" rel="category tag">New Jersey</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/states/newyork/" title="View all posts in New York" rel="category tag">New York</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/canada/ontario/" title="View all posts in Ontario" rel="category tag">Ontario</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/spain/" title="View all posts in Spain" rel="category tag">Spain</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/switzerland/" title="View all posts in Switzerland" rel="category tag">Switzerland</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/taiwan/" title="View all posts in Taiwan" rel="category tag">Taiwan</a> / Categories: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/monuments/" rel="tag">Monuments</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/street-views/" rel="tag">Street Views</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/weirdness/" rel="tag">Weirdness</a></p>
<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/gearth/einstein-is-everywhere.kml" class="">View in Google Earth</a></p>	
	
<br />


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		<item>
		<title>Fuji Speedway</title>
		<link>http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/02/fuji-speedway/</link>
		<comments>http://googlesightseeing.com/2012/02/fuji-speedway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:42:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kyle Kusch</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Japan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crowds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stadiums and Sport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Street Views]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://googlesightseeing.com/?p=25776</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A monstrous racing circuit in the shadow of Mount Fuji, Fuji Speedway has played host to the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix, Le Mans prototypes, Super GTs, and now the Street View car and trike team!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Back in the early 1960s, Japanese developers had an idea to hold American stock car-style races in the shadow of Mount Fuji.  While the initial vision of a banked oval never panned out, the racing circuit that became <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.369018,138.938448&amp;spn=0.006159,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.368011,138.938245&amp;panoid=ba90dTOeK5jNbeoXDm-CmQ&amp;cbp=12,16.04,,0,-10.03" class="placemark">Fuji Speedway</a> has played host to the Japanese Grand Prix 13 times, as well as Le Mans prototypes, Super GTs, and now the Street View car and trike team!</p>

<p>Fuji has undergone numerous changes and rebuilds since its 1965 opening.  The <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.37124,138.931174&amp;spn=0.024636,0.045447&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=15" class="placemark">current course</a> has been in place since 2006 and measures 4.563 km (2.835 mi) in length, including the monstrous 1.5 km (0.9 mi) front straight.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.37124,138.931174&amp;spn=0.024636,0.045447&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=15"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJ1-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-25777" /></a></p>

<p>The huge straight owes its existence to the original design of the circuit as a giant banked oval track.  Only one of the banked corners was ever built, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.37683,138.937268&amp;spn=0.006159,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17" class="placemark">but it is still readily visible today</a>.  Banked at 30 degrees on a downhill slope, the corner resulted in so many fatalities that it had to be abandoned in 1974 in favour of a new configuration.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.37683,138.937268&amp;spn=0.006159,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJ30-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-25778" /></a></p>

<p>On the opposite side of the circuit is <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.368414,138.922001&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.368292,138.921674&amp;panoid=1QmGLnVyIB--_L3lzKikwQ&amp;cbp=12,121.54,,0,15.47" class="placemark">30R</a>, the tight hairpin at the end of the straight that forces drivers to abruptly slow down from 310 km/h (193 mph).  As you can see, the hillside seating area is a bit more rustic than the main <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.372739,138.928264&amp;spn=0.003097,0.005681&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.372739,138.928264&amp;panoid=naAPIMXWlU3cedlibCWqMw&amp;cbp=12,9.95,,0,-6.54" class="placemark">grandstand seating area</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.368414,138.922001&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.368292,138.921674&amp;panoid=1QmGLnVyIB--_L3lzKikwQ&amp;cbp=12,121.54,,0,15.47"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJhp-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-25781" /></a>  <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.372739,138.928264&amp;spn=0.003097,0.005681&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.372739,138.928264&amp;panoid=naAPIMXWlU3cedlibCWqMw&amp;cbp=12,9.95,,0,-6.54"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJpit2-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-25788" /></a></p>

<p>Fuji gave up hosting the Japanese Grand Prix after 2008 (the race has returned to Suzuka, another track <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;q=34.843056,136.540556&amp;ll=34.842725,136.540875&amp;spn=0.012468,0.022724&amp;t=m&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=34.842634,136.54098&amp;panoid=nbaR0IdHiUqGiaRDgboiQQ&amp;cbp=12,349.63,,1,-4.12" class="placemark">visited by Street View</a>), but there’s still plenty of racing going at the speedway.  In fact, Street View caught pieces of three different racing events during its visit.  Below we see <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.372176,138.928524&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.372365,138.928821&amp;panoid=5fuDpLr1MY2zqYlV69gyjQ&amp;cbp=12,166.56,,0,7.8" class="placemark">Super GT cars</a> being prepared for Friday practice both in the paddock and in the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.37316,138.928907&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.37316,138.928907&amp;panoid=TkCZGMzQK7WWAkFG9KL4GQ&amp;cbp=12,198.66,,0,-0.42" class="placemark">pit lane</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.372176,138.928524&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.372365,138.928821&amp;panoid=5fuDpLr1MY2zqYlV69gyjQ&amp;cbp=12,166.56,,0,7.8"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJcars-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-25780" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.37316,138.928907&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.37316,138.928907&amp;panoid=TkCZGMzQK7WWAkFG9KL4GQ&amp;cbp=12,198.66,,0,-0.42"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJpit1-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-25787" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.373165,138.927001&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.373201,138.92716&amp;panoid=-ACnMaIzxdr6_nWDu18s5Q&amp;cbp=12,191.15,,1,2.12" class="placemark">Spectators</a> are already beginning to pour through the turnstiles and trickle <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.373462,138.929372&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.373367,138.929222&amp;panoid=AippHv29p5ibIJK0FGVsRg&amp;cbp=12,305.59,,0,-9.87&amp;z=17" class="placemark">into the stands</a>, where they will undoubtedly be bombarded with all sorts of trackside advertising (in fact, they even get hit with it <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.369158,138.921379&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.369035,138.92119&amp;panoid=szk8wUavTgGoU2Rycb4whA&amp;cbp=12,64.14,,0,-7.14" class="placemark">on the road leading into the circuit</a>).</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.373165,138.927001&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.373201,138.92716&amp;panoid=-ACnMaIzxdr6_nWDu18s5Q&amp;cbp=12,191.15,,1,2.12"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJc-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-25779" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.373462,138.929372&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.373367,138.929222&amp;panoid=AippHv29p5ibIJK0FGVsRg&amp;cbp=12,305.59,,0,-9.87&amp;z=17"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJpit3-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-25789" /></a></p>

<p>These race fans are early risers, as the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.371308,138.926362&amp;spn=0.003079,0.005681&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;t=k&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.371308,138.926362&amp;panoid=pDVpCsvWPgbXyZy47zi1pw&amp;cbp=12,254.97,,0,-19.12&amp;z=18" class="placemark">pit lane scoring pylon</a> shows us that it’s 7:24 in the morning. Forced perspective allows the pylon to dwarf Mount Fuji in the background.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.371308,138.926362&amp;spn=0.003079,0.005681&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;t=k&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.371308,138.926362&amp;panoid=pDVpCsvWPgbXyZy47zi1pw&amp;cbp=12,254.97,,0,-19.12&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJpyl-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-25790" /></a></p>

<p>The main circuit isn’t the only hotbed of racing action at the speedway.  In the outer parking lot lie <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.369333,138.933653&amp;spn=0.003097,0.005681&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=18" class="placemark">two tracks</a> designed for <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.369001,138.933027&amp;spn=0.003097,0.005681&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.369001,138.933027&amp;panoid=WEfHmfdB6Kh7W265pSkb6w&amp;cbp=12,34.47,,1,-1.32" class="placemark">karting</a> and pocketbike racing.  The Street View car gets <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.369075,138.932934&amp;spn=0.003097,0.005681&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.368873,138.932707&amp;panoid=uBIwFcAte1K60yvSxUkfCw&amp;cbp=12,93.11,,1,3.31" class="placemark">right into the action</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.369652,138.933808&amp;spn=0.003097,0.005681&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.369823,138.933849&amp;panoid=x0lkKD9ie1QQBbnYUDzPuw&amp;cbp=12,107.36,,1,3.14" class="placemark">following the drivers</a> around both circuits.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.369333,138.933653&amp;spn=0.003097,0.005681&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJkart-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-25784" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.369001,138.933027&amp;spn=0.003097,0.005681&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.369001,138.933027&amp;panoid=WEfHmfdB6Kh7W265pSkb6w&amp;cbp=12,34.47,,1,-1.32"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJk1-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-25782" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.369075,138.932934&amp;spn=0.003097,0.005681&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.368873,138.932707&amp;panoid=uBIwFcAte1K60yvSxUkfCw&amp;cbp=12,93.11,,1,3.31"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJk2-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-25783" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.369652,138.933808&amp;spn=0.003097,0.005681&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.369823,138.933849&amp;panoid=x0lkKD9ie1QQBbnYUDzPuw&amp;cbp=12,107.36,,1,3.14"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJmb-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-25785" /></a></p>

<p>As <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.372369,138.928825&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.372624,138.928807&amp;panoid=rzm0A-j0gih65oihfjFyHA&amp;cbp=12,45.42,,1,9.22" class="placemark">this motorsport fan</a> knows, racing happens every weekend at Fuji Speedway, but a visit from Street View is so momentous it’s worth a picture on its own!</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=25776&amp;c=&amp;ll=35.372369,138.928825&amp;spn=0.006194,0.011362&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=35.372624,138.928807&amp;panoid=rzm0A-j0gih65oihfjFyHA&amp;cbp=12,45.42,,1,9.22"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FUJpic-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-25786" /></a></p>
<p>    
    Locations: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/japan/" title="View all posts in Japan" rel="category tag">Japan</a> / Categories: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/crowds/" rel="tag">Crowds</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/stadiums-and-sport/" rel="tag">Stadiums and Sport</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/street-views/" rel="tag">Street Views</a></p>
<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/gearth/fuji-speedway.kml" class="">View in Google Earth</a></p>	
	
<br />


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You're reading an entry from <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com">Google Sightseeing</a>, which is copyright &copy; 2012 Alex Turnbull &amp; James Turnbull and must not be reproduced without permission.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Japan after the tsunami</title>
		<link>http://googlesightseeing.com/2011/12/japan-after-the-tsunami/</link>
		<comments>http://googlesightseeing.com/2011/12/japan-after-the-tsunami/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:35:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Turnbull</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Japan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Street Views]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://googlesightseeing.com/?p=20581</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On the 11th March 2011, 70 kilometres off the east coast of Tōhoku, the most powerful earthquake in the country’s history struck Japan, triggering a powerful tsunami that swept inland up to 10 km, swamping some&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On the 11th March 2011, 70 kilometres off the east coast of Tōhoku, the most powerful earthquake in the country’s history struck Japan, triggering a powerful tsunami that swept inland up to 10 km, swamping some areas with waves over 40 metres high. The confirmed number of deaths stands at 15,841, with a further 3,485 people still missing over nine months later.<sup id="fnref:1"><a href="#fn:1" rel="footnote">1</a></sup></p>

<p>The earthquake was recorded as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_magnitude_scale">magnitude</a> 9, so powerful that Geophysicists <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/14/world/asia/14seismic.html?_r=1">have estimated</a> the main Japanese island of Honshu is now 2.4 metres wider that it was before, and that the Earth itself has shifted slightly on its axis.<sup id="fnref:4"><a href="#fn:4" rel="footnote">2</a></sup></p>

<p>In addition to the unbelievably tragic loss of life, the infrastructure of Japan was severely damaged, several <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=20581&amp;c=&amp;q=37.422972,141.032917&amp;ll=37.421413,141.033271&amp;spn=0.009637,0.014645&amp;t=w&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">nuclear reactors went into meltdown</a>, and over 125,000 buildings were damaged or completely destroyed.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=20581&amp;c=&amp;q=37.422972,141.032917&amp;ll=37.421413,141.033271&amp;spn=0.009637,0.014645&amp;t=w&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/powerplant-atrb.jpg" alt="" title="powerplant" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full" /></a>
<cite>Failed reactors at the Fukushima I nuclear power plant</cite></p>

<p>In an effort to assist people during the crisis, Google almost immediately <a href="http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2011/03/post-earthquake-images-of-japan.html">launched</a> updated satellite imagery of northeastern Japan, followed by two <a href="http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-imagery-of-japan-after-earthquake.html">more</a> <a href="http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2011/04/imagery-update-japan-and-beyond.html">rounds</a> of additional high resolution imagery. These shocking pictures reveal an utterly destroyed landscape, with ships littering the landscape – having in some places come to rest <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=20581&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;key=ABQIAAAAtdvYAbw5lDwcjzRdYrS7TBTO5BBP3GUfoyJwQWx-SsXI8R3DaBTs3FvpYmRvznYvltbRJUplZDgShQ&amp;mapclient=jsapi&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=39.353808,141.932493&amp;spn=0.002155,0.003136&amp;z=19" class="placemark">on top</a> of what few buildings remained standing.<sup id="fnref:3"><a href="#fn:3" rel="footnote">3</a></sup></p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=20581&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;key=ABQIAAAAtdvYAbw5lDwcjzRdYrS7TBTO5BBP3GUfoyJwQWx-SsXI8R3DaBTs3FvpYmRvznYvltbRJUplZDgShQ&amp;mapclient=jsapi&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=39.353808,141.932493&amp;spn=0.002155,0.003136&amp;z=19"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ship-atrb.jpg" alt="" title="ship on a roof" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full" /></a>
<cite>Ship on a roof, Akahama district, Otsuchi</cite></p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=20581&amp;c=&amp;ll=38.413879,141.247444&amp;spn=0.004754,0.007322&amp;t=w&amp;key=ABQIAAAAtdvYAbw5lDwcjzRdYrS7TBTO5BBP3GUfoyJwQWx-SsXI8R3DaBTs3FvpYmRvznYvltbRJUplZDgShQ&amp;mapclient=jsapi&amp;z=18&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/maru-atrb.jpg" alt="" title="ship on a pier" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full" /></a>
<cite>In Higashimatsushima, the 45 metre <em>Chōkai Maru</em> was lifted over a pier and left aground</cite></p>

<p>Elsewhere trains can be seen with their carriages piled up, having been completely swept from their tracks.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=20581&amp;c=&amp;ll=37.88119,140.926228&amp;spn=0.002466,0.00571&amp;t=k&amp;key=ABQIAAAAtdvYAbw5lDwcjzRdYrS7TBTO5BBP3GUfoyJwQWx-SsXI8R3DaBTs3FvpYmRvznYvltbRJUplZDgShQ&amp;mapclient=jsapi&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;z=19&amp;layer=t"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/trains-atrb.jpg" alt="" title="trains" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full" /></a></p>

<p>In July Google <a href="http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2011/07/using-street-view-to-digitally-archive.html">announced their intention</a> to capture the scope of the destruction through a new initiative to create an interactive digital archive of the area, using Street View. Since then the Street View cars have driven 44,000 kilometres recording high-resolution images, and the new imagery has <a href="http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2011/12/experience-tsunami-affected-areas-of.html">just been launched</a>, alongside a new website called “<a href="http://www.miraikioku.com/streetview/en/">Memories for the future</a>“.<sup id="fnref:2"><a href="#fn:2" rel="footnote">4</a></sup></p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=20581&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=38.675117,141.450322&amp;z=13&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=38.675117,141.450322&amp;cbp=1,278.5685229911751,,0,4.149860659544824"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Minamisanriku-atrb.jpg" alt="" title="Minamisanriku" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full" /></a>
<cite>Minamisanriku, August 2011</cite></p>

<p>The website allows users to switch between before and after views of a wide range of affected locations in northeastern Japan. This unique project allows us to see exactly what kind of impact the tsunami has had on the landscape and its people.</p>

<p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&amp;ll=38.677307,141.448887&amp;spn=0.009724,0.022842&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=38.677307,141.448887&amp;panoid=IGsSY5uButB0hXZSqx_Uew&amp;cbp=12,148.7,,0,2.25&amp;t=h&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=1&amp;noredirect=1"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/before-a1-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" title="before-a" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26017" /></a>
<cite>Minamisanriku, July 2008</cite></p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=20581&amp;c=&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=38.677344,141.448854&amp;spn=0.009724,0.022842&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=38.677344,141.448854&amp;panoid=7KlZWTF8ZzQYRvem6x7UaQ&amp;cbp=12,148.74,,0,1.07&amp;t=h&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=1"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/after-a2-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" title="after-a" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26019" /></a>
<cite>Minamisanriku, August 2011</cite></p>

<p>The transformation is truly shocking. It’s unclear from the images exactly how much work has gone into removing debris, but it is clear that whole communities have been totally erased.</p>

<p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&amp;ll=38.414723,141.24367&amp;spn=0.00976,0.022842&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=38.414723,141.24367&amp;panoid=hhvb7msgvxHIt6felZ4CNA&amp;cbp=12,43.15,,0,1.95&amp;t=h&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=1&amp;noredirect=1"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/before-4-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" title="before-4" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26018" /></a>
<cite>Higashimatsushima, July 2008</cite></p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=20581&amp;c=&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=38.414723,141.24367&amp;spn=0.00976,0.022842&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=38.414723,141.24367&amp;panoid=b-pf71IM1ON2rmRNDCbAgw&amp;cbp=12,51.48,,0,1.78&amp;t=h&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=1"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/after-4-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" title="after-4" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26020" /></a>
<cite>Higashimatsushima, July 2011</cite></p>

<p>As Keir Clarke at <a href="http://googlemapsmania.blogspot.com/2011/12/japan-street-view-after-earthquake.html?spref=tw">Google Maps Mania</a> said:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Let’s hope that in a couple of years Google can update the Street View imagery again to show these towns and communities rebuilt and thriving again.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Wikipedia has all the details of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Tōhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami">2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami</a>.</p>

<div class="footnotes">
<hr /><ol><li id="fn:1">
<p>Source: <a href="http://www.npa.go.jp/archive/keibi/biki/higaijokyo_e.pdf">Damage Situation and Police Countermeasures associated with 2011 Tohoku district – off the Pacific Ocean Earthquake</a>” (PDF, 6.9KB) <a href="#fnref:1" rev="footnote">↩</a></p>
</li>

<li id="fn:4">
<p>The tsunami continued on to Antarctica and struck the Sulzberger Ice Shelf, where the <a href="http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2011/08/the_japanese_tsunami_created_some_m.html">Google Earth Blog</a> reports that the force of the wave broke off two massive chunks of ice with a combined area of 125 square kilometres – or more than twice the size of New York’s Manhattan Island. <a href="#fnref:4" rev="footnote">↩</a></p>
</li>

<li id="fn:3">
<p>Here’s the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=20581&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=39.353808,141.932493&amp;z=18&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=39.353643,141.932549&amp;cbp=12,-13.972999035679845,,1,-2.820636451301832" class="placemark">same building as seen by Street View in October</a> – the ship has been removed, but the building itself is a ruin. <a href="#fnref:3" rev="footnote">↩</a></p>
</li>

<li id="fn:2">
<p>In addition to the new imagery and website, Google have added an oft-requested feature – all Street View seen on Google Maps now shows a timestamp in the bottom right hand corner, allowing anyone to see in which month and year a Street View image was taken. <a href="#fnref:2" rev="footnote">↩</a></p>
</li>

</ol></div>
<p>    
    Locations: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/japan/" title="View all posts in Japan" rel="category tag">Japan</a> / Categories: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/street-views/" rel="tag">Street Views</a></p>
<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/gearth/japan-after-the-tsunami.kml" class="">View in Google Earth</a></p>	
	
<br />


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		<title>Planes on Google Maps, October 2011</title>
		<link>http://googlesightseeing.com/2011/10/planes-on-google-maps-october-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://googlesightseeing.com/2011/10/planes-on-google-maps-october-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:26:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ian Brown</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Arkansas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[England]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Georgia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kenya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kyrgyzstan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manitoba]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ontario]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abandoned]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aircraft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Movie Locations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shadows]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://googlesightseeing.com/?p=24848</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the most common subjects that readers post through our suggestion form is planes – whether in flight, parked at airports, or in pieces at crash sites. Here is a collection of some of the&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One of the most common subjects that readers post through <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/suggest/">our suggestion form</a> is planes – whether in flight, parked at airports, or in pieces at crash sites. Here is a collection of some of the more interesting finds from the past few years. First up, the curious sight of a <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;q=51.475456,-0.422271&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=51.475456,-0.421898&amp;spn=0.000931,0.002747&amp;t=h&amp;z=19" class="placemark">Concorde</a> at a remote edge of Heathrow Airport.</p>

<p>Reader Dave Schubert identifies the plane as being in an engine test stand. According to Google Earth’s historical imagery feature this image was taken on the 27th of June 2010, which is interesting as Concorde was retired in 2003 – so it’s perhaps a little strange that they would be testing the engines.</p>

<p>Next, to Canada’s busiest airport, Toronto Pearson. However, we’re looking at a very American icon – the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=43.693832,-79.652662&amp;z=19" class="placemark">Blue Angels aerobatic team</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=43.693832,-79.652662&amp;z=19"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24863" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp1-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>More formally known as the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, these planes were spotted by Kevin Hodgson. The six F/A-18 Hornets are seen parked near to a seventh plane, a <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=43.693961,-79.651618&amp;z=20" class="placemark">two-seater F/A-18B</a> that can be used as a backup plane if necessary. We can also see the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=43.693308,-79.652256&amp;z=20" class="placemark">C-130T Hercules nicknamed Fat Albert</a>, which carries support personnel, spare parts and technical equipment.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=43.693961,-79.651618&amp;z=20"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24864" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp3-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=43.693308,-79.652256&amp;z=20"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-24865" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp4-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" /></a></p>

<p>You can read more about the Blue Angels at their <a href="http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/">official site</a>, and at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_angels">Wikipedia</a>.</p>

<p>Given the recent situation in Libya, it may be a good thing that eight <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=33.903891,-84.51337&amp;z=19" class="placemark">C-130 Hercules</a> that were ordered by the Gaddafi regime are stuck in the southern US state of Georgia.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=33.903891,-84.51337&amp;z=19"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24866" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp5-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>The <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=33.900277,-84.516546&amp;z=19" class="placemark">desert-camouflaged planes</a> were ordered and built at this Lockheed plant at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in the early 1970s. However before they could be delivered, the US imposed sanctions on Libya.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=33.900277,-84.516546&amp;z=19"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24870" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp6-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>Because they are technically the property of the Libyan government, the planes cannot be moved, so they sit on flat tires, surrounded by weeds in the distant reaches of the base. Thanks to Cafe de Unie, SecretAgent Man and Jonathan Peterson for sending this one in.</p>

<p>Unused planes can be a problem for any airport, though at Hot Springs in Arkansas they park them a little more <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=34.473499,-93.091394&amp;z=19" class="placemark">neatly and efficiently</a> than they do at <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=43.051999,74.481522&amp;z=18" class="placemark">Manas Airport</a> in Kyrgyzstan or <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=-1.319873,36.817159&amp;z=19" class="placemark">Wilson Airport</a> in Kenya. Thanks to ‘Me’, nga and Bryan Johnson for these.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=34.473499,-93.091394&amp;z=19"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24871" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp7-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=43.051999,74.481522&amp;z=18"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24872" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp8-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=-1.319873,36.817159&amp;z=19"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24873" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp9-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a></p>

<p>Moving on to crashed planes (nervous flyers should probably stop reading at this point!), we start with a couple of real downed planes. <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=58.760409,-94.086448&amp;z=19" class="placemark">This Curtis C-46F Commando</a> crashed in November 1979, shortly after taking off from Churchill in northern Canada.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=58.760409,-94.086448&amp;z=19"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24881" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp10-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>It was reported to us by Lindsay Marshall, and <a href="http://origin-www.airliners.net/photo/Lambair/Lambair/1326497">airliners.net</a> has some good pictures. Apparently the inside has been setup with a picnic table, and is a local tourist attraction.</p>

<p>Just a few months ago, two people unfortunately lost their lives when their <a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/2-dead-after-Del-based-plane-crashes-in-Wis-lake-1584075.php#next">small plane crashed</a> into Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin. New satellite imagery just happened to capture <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=43.891614,-88.457267&amp;z=20" class="placemark">a crane recovering the wreckage</a>. Thanks to milwhcky for reporting this one via <a href="http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/fatal-plane-crash-recovery/">Virtual Globetrotting</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=43.891614,-88.457267&amp;z=20"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24882" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp11-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>Hollywood is fond of creating its own plane crashes, and the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=34.135969,-118.347181&amp;z=20" class="placemark">set from 2005′s <em>War of the Worlds</em></a> is now part of Universal Studio’s tour, as shown in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_8oWKL-pIo">this YouTube video</a>. Thanks to Anthony Moore for the suggestion.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=34.135969,-118.347181&amp;z=20"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24892" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp12-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>The studio spent $2million to bring an unused 747 to the lot, carefully broke it apart and then built the houses affected by the crash in the movie. Google’s 45-degree imagery allows us to see the set from different perspectives, including <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&amp;ll=34.136008,-118.347492&amp;spn=0.000568,0.000524&amp;t=h&amp;deg=270&amp;z=21&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;noredirect=1">engines lying next to a house</a>, seats in the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&amp;ll=34.135794,-118.34721&amp;spn=0.000434,0.000687&amp;t=h&amp;deg=180&amp;z=21&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;noredirect=1">ripped apart cabin</a>, and the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&amp;ll=34.135427,-118.34746&amp;spn=0.000568,0.000524&amp;t=h&amp;deg=90&amp;z=21&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;noredirect=1">charred tail section</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&amp;ll=34.136008,-118.347492&amp;spn=0.000568,0.000524&amp;t=h&amp;deg=270&amp;z=21&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;noredirect=1"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24893" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp13-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&amp;ll=34.135794,-118.34721&amp;spn=0.000434,0.000687&amp;t=h&amp;deg=180&amp;z=21&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;noredirect=1"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24894" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp14-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&amp;ll=34.135427,-118.34746&amp;spn=0.000568,0.000524&amp;t=h&amp;deg=90&amp;z=21&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;noredirect=1"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24895" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp15-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a></p>

<p>Another <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=37.79074,-122.322765&amp;z=20" class="placemark">apparently horrific plane crash</a> was spotted by Bryan Johnson at the former Alameda Naval Air Station near San Francisco.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24848&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=37.79074,-122.322765&amp;z=20"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24896" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp16-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>Some of the 45-degree imagery was apparently taken on a different day, and reveals <a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=37.790998,-122.32299&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=37.790792,-122.322807&amp;spn=0.001085,0.001049&amp;gl=ca&amp;t=h&amp;deg=270&amp;z=20&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;noredirect=1">crowds of people and emergency vehicles</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=37.790998,-122.32299&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=37.790792,-122.322807&amp;spn=0.001085,0.001049&amp;gl=ca&amp;t=h&amp;deg=270&amp;z=20&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;noredirect=1"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24897" src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mp17-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" /></a></p>

<p>However, we can also see lots of technical equipment, including a camera crane, so it’s clear that this isn’t a real crash, and <a href="http://www.geek.com/articles/geek-cetera/the-truth-behind-this-google-maps-plane-crash-2011034/">Geek.com reveals</a> that it is, in fact, a set for the TV show <em>Trauma</em>.</p>

<p>We had <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/2005/04/naval-air-station-at-alameda-ca/">previously featured Alameda</a> for its role in a Matrix film, though personally I’m hoping that someday we’ll see images of the <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/mythbusters/">Mythbusters</a> team who film regularly at this location.</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone who contributed to this post. Please use the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/suggest/">suggestion form</a> if you know if interesting locations that you think we should feature.</p>
<p>    
    Locations: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/states/arkansas/" title="View all posts in Arkansas" rel="category tag">Arkansas</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/states/california/" title="View all posts in California" rel="category tag">California</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/united-kingdom/england/" title="View all posts in England" rel="category tag">England</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/states/georgia/" title="View all posts in Georgia" rel="category tag">Georgia</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/africa/kenya/" title="View all posts in Kenya" rel="category tag">Kenya</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/kyrgyzstan/" title="View all posts in Kyrgyzstan" rel="category tag">Kyrgyzstan</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/canada/manitoba/" title="View all posts in Manitoba" rel="category tag">Manitoba</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/canada/ontario/" title="View all posts in Ontario" rel="category tag">Ontario</a> / Categories: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/abandoned/" rel="tag">Abandoned</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/aircraft/" rel="tag">Aircraft</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/movie-locations/" rel="tag">Movie Locations</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/shadows/" rel="tag">Shadows</a></p>
<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/gearth/planes-on-google-maps-october-2011.kml" class="">View in Google Earth</a></p>	
	
<br />


<hr />

You're reading an entry from <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com">Google Sightseeing</a>, which is copyright &copy; 2012 Alex Turnbull &amp; James Turnbull and must not be reproduced without permission.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Naypyidaw, An Unconventional Capital</title>
		<link>http://googlesightseeing.com/2011/10/naypyidaw-an-unconventional-capital/</link>
		<comments>http://googlesightseeing.com/2011/10/naypyidaw-an-unconventional-capital/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:59:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kyle Kusch</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Burma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buildings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Monuments]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stadiums and Sport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Structures]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://googlesightseeing.com/?p=24609</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In 2005, the military government of Burma (Myanmar) made one of its most curious moves yet when it gave its ministerial officials less than a day’s notice that they were to pack up and move to a new capital almost 400 km north of the old capital, Rangoon, under threat of arrest or imprisonment. The government had secretly been constructing a capital in the middle of the nowhere called Naypyidaw; a way for the government to escape the congestion and chaos of Rangoon in a purpose-built capital in which everything would be under their control.  Naypyidaw covers a sprawling 4,800 km2 – that’s 78 times the size of Manhattan!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The country of Burma, or Myanmar, isn’t exactly known for its openness.  It’s a land dominated by a brutal, secretive, and eccentric military government.  In 2005, the government made one of its most curious moves yet when, on 6th November at precisely 6:37 am, it gave its ministerial officials less than a day’s notice that they were to pack up and move to a new capital almost 400 km north of the old capital, Rangoon, under threat of arrest or imprisonment. Five days later, on the 11th day of the 11th month, at 11 am, 1,100 military trucks carrying 11 battalions and 11 government ministries left for the new capital.</p>

<p>It turns out that for some time the government had secretly been constructing a capital in the middle of the nowhere called <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.763473,96.146851&amp;spn=0.454924,0.727158&amp;t=k&amp;z=11&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">Naypyidaw</a> (“abode of kings”); a way for the government to escape the congestion and chaos of Rangoon and have a purpose-built capital in which everything would be under their control.  Naypyidaw covers a sprawling 4,800 km2 (1,853 sq. mi.) – that’s 78 times the size of Manhattan!  It’s spread out like that on purpose in order to keep government officials, labourers, and civilians separated from each other.  Walking anywhere conveniently is deliberately impossible.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.763473,96.146851&amp;spn=0.454924,0.727158&amp;t=k&amp;z=11&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAY1-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24610" /></a></p>

<p>At the centre of Naypyidaw is the huge <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.774902,96.103334&amp;spn=0.028431,0.061798&amp;t=k&amp;z=15&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">government complex</a>,which houses the legislature (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw), the 100-room presidential palace, and the city hall among its 31 different buildings.  All are built in a Stalinist style but with Burmese-style roofs.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.774902,96.103334&amp;spn=0.028431,0.061798&amp;t=k&amp;z=15&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYpar-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24619" /></a></p>

<p>Going north from the government complex, the various <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.806055,96.127346&amp;spn=0.014213,0.030899&amp;t=k&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">ministry buildings</a> are strung out along a distance of 13 km (8 miles).  Each building sits on its own private acreage, and is powered by electricity generated in its own private reservoir.  Naypyidaw is the only city in the country with continuous 24-hour electricity.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.806055,96.127346&amp;spn=0.014213,0.030899&amp;t=k&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYmin-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24617" /></a></p>

<p>Housing for workers is carefully assigned according to ministry, rank, and marital status.  Government employees live in <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.76004,96.058488&amp;spn=0.014217,0.030899&amp;t=k&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">four-story colour-coded apartment complexes</a>.  Fox example, blue apartments are for Ministry of Health employees and green for Agriculture employees.  The lower down the totem pole a worker is, the more crowded the neighbourhood gets, such as the oppressive grid formation of <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.871109,96.185646&amp;spn=0.028414,0.061798&amp;t=k&amp;z=15&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">Pobba Thiri</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.76004,96.058488&amp;spn=0.014217,0.030899&amp;t=k&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYhou-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-24616" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.871109,96.185646&amp;spn=0.028414,0.061798&amp;t=k&amp;z=15&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYpt-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24621" /></a></p>

<p>Along with government buildings and housing, the government has spent a large amount of money on civic amenities, museums, sculptures, shopping centres, and ceremonial facilities, such as this large <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.766774,96.073047&amp;spn=0.007108,0.01545&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">stadium</a> under construction, and a massive shopping mall located across the expressway from the new national <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.803209,96.286626&amp;spn=0.028426,0.061798&amp;t=k&amp;z=15&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">parade ground</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.766774,96.073047&amp;spn=0.007108,0.01545&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYsta-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24624" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.803209,96.286626&amp;spn=0.028426,0.061798&amp;t=k&amp;z=15&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYpde-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24620" /></a></p>

<p>One of the most ornate buildings in the new capital is the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.771096,96.183039&amp;spn=0.007108,0.01545&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">Uppatasanti Pagoda</a>, completed in 2009.  It rises 99 m (325 feet) above the surrounding grassland.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.771096,96.183039&amp;spn=0.007108,0.01545&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYpag-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24618" /></a></p>

<p>30 km (19 mi) from the centre Naypyidaw – but still within the city – are the Naypyidaw Zoo, the Naypyidaw Safari Park, and the sprawling <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.874903,96.273708&amp;spn=0.056826,0.123596&amp;t=k&amp;z=14&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">Naypyidaw Botanical Gardens</a>, all along the shores of yet another of the city’s many reservoirs.  If the botanical gardens seem from above as though they’re irregularly shaped, that’s because they’re designed as a scaled-down model of the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.145168,96.855469&amp;spn=56.674141,93.076172&amp;t=m&amp;z=4&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">shape of the entire country</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.874903,96.273708&amp;spn=0.056826,0.123596&amp;t=k&amp;z=14&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYbot-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24611" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.145168,96.855469&amp;spn=56.674141,93.076172&amp;t=m&amp;z=4&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYbot1-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24612" /></a></p>

<p>If a lot of these facilities seem as though they’re designed to attract tourists to the new city, that’s because they are – to a degree.  For example, almost all accommodation in the Naypyidaw is restricted to the city’s <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.70694,96.118205&amp;spn=0.014221,0.030899&amp;t=k&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">hotel zone</a>, a string of <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.693718,96.130189&amp;spn=0.007111,0.01545&amp;t=k&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;z=17" class="placemark">rather ornate hotels</a> at the southern gateway to the city located along a massive expressway that still manages to have almost no traffic along it; a common theme throughout the city.  One expressway connecting the parade ground to the city market is <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.793341,96.239854&amp;spn=0.003579,0.005681&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=48.956293,93.076172&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;t=h&amp;z=18" class="placemark">twenty lanes wide</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.70694,96.118205&amp;spn=0.014221,0.030899&amp;t=k&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYhot1-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24614" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.693718,96.130189&amp;spn=0.007111,0.01545&amp;t=k&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;z=17"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYhot2-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24615" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.793341,96.239854&amp;spn=0.003579,0.005681&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=48.956293,93.076172&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;t=h&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYexp-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24613" /></a></p>

<p>Tourists and workers alike are completely restricted from the mountain area beyond the botanical gardens, where the country’s top military personnel live in blocks of <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.860817,96.304822&amp;spn=0.028415,0.061798&amp;t=k&amp;z=15&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">purpose-built mansions</a>.  And nothing tops the palace of the recently retired dictator, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.857507,96.323168&amp;spn=0.007104,0.01545&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">Than Shwe</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.860817,96.304822&amp;spn=0.028415,0.061798&amp;t=k&amp;z=15&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYvg-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-24626" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.857507,96.323168&amp;spn=0.007104,0.01545&amp;t=k&amp;z=17&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYshwe-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24622" /></a></p>

<p>Despite the massive amount of money poured into Naypyidaw, most of its people remain in slums; Old villages surrounded by the buildings and highways of the city.  For example, the headquarters of the pro-military <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.669281,96.123762&amp;spn=0.014225,0.030899&amp;t=k&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">Union Solidarity and Development Party</a> sit across another empty expressway from a rather crowded <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.669496,96.128585&amp;spn=0.001778,0.003862&amp;t=k&amp;z=19&amp;vpsrc=6" class="placemark">traditional village</a>.  Just one of the many surreal scenes in a surreal place.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.669281,96.123762&amp;spn=0.014225,0.030899&amp;t=k&amp;z=16&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYusdp-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24625" /></a> <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=24609&amp;c=&amp;ll=19.669496,96.128585&amp;spn=0.001778,0.003862&amp;t=k&amp;z=19&amp;vpsrc=6"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NAYslum-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-24623" /></a></p>
<p>    
    Locations: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/burma/" title="View all posts in Burma" rel="category tag">Burma</a> / Categories: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/buildings/" rel="tag">Buildings</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/monuments/" rel="tag">Monuments</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/stadiums-and-sport/" rel="tag">Stadiums and Sport</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/structures/" rel="tag">Structures</a></p>
<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/gearth/naypyidaw-an-unconventional-capital.kml" class="">View in Google Earth</a></p>	
	
<br />


<hr />

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		<title>The best of Google Maps: Circles, Paintings, and Rude Messages</title>
		<link>http://googlesightseeing.com/2011/09/the-best-of-google-maps-circles-paintings-and-rude-messages/</link>
		<comments>http://googlesightseeing.com/2011/09/the-best-of-google-maps-circles-paintings-and-rude-messages/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:24:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris Hannigan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Alberta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arizona]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[India]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mexico]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Morocco]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Jersey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Zealand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United Kingdom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crop Circles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Large Type]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Movie Locations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stadiums and Sport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Weirdness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://googlesightseeing.com/?p=19363</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It’s often the simplest things that get the biggest laugh around here, and when we open the GSS suggestion box it’s easy to get overwhelmed with small zingers that get a nice chuckle. So that’s just&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It’s often the simplest things that get the biggest laugh around here, and when we open the GSS suggestion box it’s easy to get overwhelmed with small zingers that get a nice chuckle. So that’s just what we did for another episode of <strong>The best of Google Maps</strong>.</p>

<h2>Rude messages</h2>

<p>Not everything can make the cut obviously, but things like this painting of a <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=33.302746,-111.842393&amp;z=21" class="placemark">naked woman</a> on top of this building near Phoenix, AZ are certainly eye-catching. Thanks to GSS reader prmckinney for sending it in.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=33.302746,-111.842393&amp;z=21"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/circles17-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-24519" /></a></p>

<p>Henry sent us a <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=-37.780757,175.242156&amp;z=21" class="placemark">friendly message</a> in New Zealand that, well, gets directly to the point.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=-37.780757,175.242156&amp;z=21"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/circles09-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-24522" /></a></p>

<p>Or you could be like this guy near Austin, Texas who loves to <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=30.441696,-97.771662&amp;z=19" class="placemark">express his satisfaction</a> with American president Barack Obama! Make sure you notice the detail of the middle finger! Thanks to Chris S.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=30.441696,-97.771662&amp;z=19"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/circles07-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-24520" /></a></p>

<h2>Lookalikes</h2>

<p>At times just the strange artefacts of Google Maps itself are amusing! Take a look at this rather <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=54.975653,-1.622913&amp;z=17" class="placemark">unfortunately shaped road</a> near the Newcastle FC stadium sent to us by Chris. On the more natural side, Pamela sent us <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=54.326109,-110.694809&amp;z=12" class="placemark">this lake</a> in Alberta, Canada that looks, well, pretty much exactly like a rat.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=54.975653,-1.622913&amp;z=17"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/circles14-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24527" /></a>
<a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=54.326109,-110.694809&amp;z=12"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/circles15-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24528" /></a></p>

<h2>Signposts for the sky</h2>

<p>Rooftops can be an easy target for “on-the-fly” messaging. Marc sent us a link to a huge “Amazing Race” <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=33.954747,-118.379511&amp;z=19" class="placemark">finish line painting</a> on the final approach path to LAX. The wildly popular American reality show has used Los Angeles as the finish line before, but it does seem odd that they actually put a channel and time on it. Maybe it’s just a huge billboard instead?</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=33.954747,-118.379511&amp;z=19"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/circles11-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-24524" /></a></p>

<p>Quetzal sent us the <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=25.622969,-102.883833&amp;z=18" class="placemark">letter Z</a> carved into the desert next to a highway in Coahuila, México, which is apparently the sign of a notorious Mexican Drug Cartel. On a lighter note, Dawn sent us a link to this <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=40.638244,-75.188024&amp;z=18" class="placemark">extravagant field maze</a> that takes the shape of a steam locomotive!</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=25.622969,-102.883833&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/circles08-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24521" /></a>
<a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=40.638244,-75.188024&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/circles13-150x112-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="112" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-24526" /></a></p>

<h2>Mystery circles</h2>

<p>Sometimes the most interesting things we see on the ground however are circles. You have the obvious <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/?s=crop+circles">crop circles</a> around the world, but then there are perhaps stranger things out there. For example, any ideas what this <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=27.98822,-12.418132&amp;z=19" class="placemark">little circle</a> in the desert sent to us by Mastboy could be?</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=27.98822,-12.418132&amp;z=19"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/circles10-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-24523" /></a></p>

<p>Or perhaps <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=52.84198,0.243281&amp;z=16" class="placemark">this circle</a> off the coast of the United Kingdom? Maybe it could be a beacon of some kind? Thanks to scotty for the link!</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=h&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=52.84198,0.243281&amp;z=16"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/circles12-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-24525" /></a></p>

<p>In a more mysterious entry, a series of strange <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=19.344163,73.727252&amp;z=18" class="placemark">circular features</a> have been sent to us from deep in the forests of Maharashtra in India. They’re remote, they’re large, and no one seems to really know where they came from!</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=19.344163,73.727252&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/circles011-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19364" /></a></p>

<p>The four circles appear to be man-made due to the perfect circular shape and similar size, but no obvious pattern or purpose can be seen. One of the most popular theories are the circles are some sort of ancient water reservoirs, but one could argue how much water needs to be collected in the middle of a monsoon-ridden country!</p>

<p><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/circles061.jpg" /></p>

<p>Some more <em>imaginative</em> people think that ancient aliens visited and made the circles, but they aren’t really a patch on traditional crop circles though.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=19.335493,73.717291&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/circles021-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19366" /></a></p>

<p>Even the local villagers in <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=19.356538,73.716491&amp;z=17" class="placemark">Kumbhale</a> aren’t sure where the circles came from, even though one of them is practically on their doorstep.</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=19.356538,73.716491&amp;z=17"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/circles051-atrb.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=19.35583,73.720182&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/circles031-atrb.jpg" /></a></p>

<p>Another theory suggests that the circles are “strikingly” similar to meteorite impacts, but the rims of these circles do not appear to share the same crowning effect that occurs near other true craters – and there haven’t been any meteorite fragments found here (although this could perhaps be due to erosion from the monsoons we mentioned).</p>

<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=19363&amp;c=&amp;t=k&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=19.363725,73.713048&amp;z=18"><img src="http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/circles041-316x211-atrb.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="211" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19368" /></a></p>

<p>For some discussion on the circles, including ground level photos, check out <a href="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/travelogues-west-india-f62/aliens-meteorites-you-guess-t24856/">this link</a>. What do you think they are? Thanks to Sandesh for sending in this intriguing suggestion.</p>
<p>    
    Locations: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/canada/alberta/" title="View all posts in Alberta" rel="category tag">Alberta</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/states/arizona/" title="View all posts in Arizona" rel="category tag">Arizona</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/states/california/" title="View all posts in California" rel="category tag">California</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/asia/india/" title="View all posts in India" rel="category tag">India</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/mexico/" title="View all posts in Mexico" rel="category tag">Mexico</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/africa/morocco/" title="View all posts in Morocco" rel="category tag">Morocco</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/states/newjersey/" title="View all posts in New Jersey" rel="category tag">New Jersey</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/australia/new-zealand/" title="View all posts in New Zealand" rel="category tag">New Zealand</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/north-america/states/texas/" title="View all posts in Texas" rel="category tag">Texas</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/countries/continents/europe/united-kingdom/" title="View all posts in United Kingdom" rel="category tag">United Kingdom</a> / Categories: <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/crop-circles/" rel="tag">Crop Circles</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/large-type/" rel="tag">Large Type</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/movie-locations/" rel="tag">Movie Locations</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/stadiums-and-sport/" rel="tag">Stadiums and Sport</a>, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/category/weirdness/" rel="tag">Weirdness</a></p>
<p><a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/gearth/the-best-of-google-maps-circles-paintings-and-rude-messages.kml" class="">View in Google Earth</a></p>	
	
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