Google Maps

Google Maps is a Web, mobile app, and developer API service which displays maps of the Earth from global to local levels. It is "free" in the sense of not costing anything for consumer uses, but not in the sense of being actually open and free of proprietary content; that's why Open Street Map was created as a noncommercial alternative to this and other commercial map services. There is also a Google Earth app which features some of the same images visible in Google Maps, but presented in a zoomable globe of the entire world.

Formats used

 * IGB (3-D models)

Naming and numbering systems used

 * Plus code

Developer API info

 * Google Maps Developer Documentation

Third-party API additions

 * Mapnificent: add transit time info to Google maps
 * gmaps.js: Simplified Google Maps API

Other links

 * Official site
 * Wikipedia article
 * What Happens to Google Maps When Tectonic Plates Move?
 * On the Road converted to ebook of Google Maps directions
 * Google Maps' spam problem presents genuine security issues
 * Google Maps Has Been Tracking Your Every Move, And There’s A Website To Prove It