Travel Maps and Map Information

The Internet provides you with some of the best interactive mapping systems available. There is a wide variety of maps available with many of the top Internet companies providing a combination of aerial, satellite and road maps. The important mapping aspects we looked for are accuracy, speed, clarity and ease of use. If you are planning a trip, looking for directions or a specific address, then visit the Web sites that have listed to find the map system that works best for you.

Aerial Maps - Maps from aerial photography provide you with maps that are very clear because of the high resolution.  Aerial photos must be "stitched" together to provide maps that cover a large area. Several types of imagery are used to provide maps in the visual, infra-red and thermal spectrums. Aerial maps are often used by hikers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.  Due to the high resolution, real estate professionals and homeowners often use aerial maps to look at homes and neighborhoods.

FlashEarth - FlashEarth combines Google Maps, Flash, and MSN Virtual Earth. This website is a valid alternative to the limited google maps viewer. This allows anyone who cannot run Google Earth or virtual earth on their system to enjoy the programs in a more linear medium. The only problem is that roads are not displayed for the Google maps option because Flash can only read JPEGs.

Google Maps - Google provides several map solutions.  Google Maps provides directions, interactive maps, and satellite/aerial imagery of the United States. You can also search by keyword such as type of business and by address. Take a look at all the mapping capabilities that are offered by Google.

MapQuest Maps - This was one of the first companies to fulfill the Internets need for access to maps. Simply put, MapQuest helps people find places and they have been doing it for over 30 years. With over 40 million unique visitors each month, MapQuest.com is consistently ranked as the #1 mapping site and #1 directories site (comScore Media Metrix). MapQuest, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of America Online, Inc. We have found mapquest to be accurate and easy to use.

MSN Virtual Earth Maps - The Virtual Earth platform is Microsoft’s next generation mapping and location service. It combines the MapPoint Web Service with exciting new innovations around bird's eye, satellite and aerial imagery, map styles and usability as well as enhanced local search. The Virtual Earth platform has become one of the best solutions available on the market for businesses and government customers. Virtual Earth powers Windows Live Local, Microsoft’s online local search and mapping web site.

Satellite Maps - Maps from satellite imagery are just neat! Everyone likes to zoom in on their house from outerspace.  Satellite imagery from NASA and other agencies/companies are used by companies like GlobeXplorer and Terraserver to provide maps to Google Earth and MSN Virtual Earth.

Topographic Maps - Topographic maps are also commonly called contour maps or "topo maps." In the United States, where the primary national series is organized by a strict 7.5° grid, they are often called topo quads (or quadrangles). There are some very good free sites that allow you to view or print sections of topo maps.  If you want to download topo maps to your computer consider software from National Geographic or TopoZone.

Yahoo Maps - Yahoo provides interactive maps that allow you to search for addresses, a business, or place name.  You can view traditional road maps, satellite maps, or hybrid maps of satellite imagery with names of roads and highways layered on top.