When you think about the maps of Google has in mind Google Maps oa Google Earth. However, a few weeks ago, the company announced dynamicworld, a world map that shows in near real time, with a resolution never seen before, the land use of the entire surface of the earth over the years.
Dynamic Worlds is part of a joint initiative of Google and the World Resources Institute to analyze images from the Copernicus Sentinel2 satellite using artificial intelligence and create the most detailed map of what the earth covers: water, crops, cities, trees, etc. Data is accessible to everyone and can be easily checked from the Dynamic World website.
A not well known Google map, but full of valuable information
Google continues to improve its maps with more and more detail and layers with additional detail. An example is the latest air quality layer on Google Maps either the new function to see the traffic in real time. Google Maps and Google Earth should be enough for most users, but Google has decided to release an even more detailed version that focuses on one goal: show the land cover of the entire surface of the Earth.
This may seem like a trivial question, but Google explains on its blog that it is “extremely complicated for organizations, governments and entities that need to access an up-to-date database of what is available on any website”.
Traditional data collection is often focused on one type of data (for example, where is the snow) and can take time to update. This is where Dynamic World was born, a joint initiative of Google and the World Resources Institute.
Dynamic World is the first land use database with almost global coverage, a global resolution of almost 10 meters and updates in near real time. It is precisely this update that provides one of its main uses for researchers, since for example events such as natural disasters (or climate changes) that affected the Earth.
This is possible because in Dynamic World you can compare maps at two specific times, with a slider to easily view the difference between the day before and the day after to the dates posted.
All Dynamic World data is accessible to developers, researchers, or anyone curious through Google Earth Engine, although you can also see a web version of the map at this address, which can also be used smartphone to appreciate it.
They are maps with very specific but curious purposes. On the map you can see where in any part of the world there is water, trees, grass, wetland vegetation, crops, built-up areas, snow; and you can also consult data on different and retroactive dates, from June 2015.
A map to know what is on the other side of the world
Website promoters AntipodesMap they respond to children and adults with an interactive page in which you can simulate where you would end up if you were to dig a tunnel until you reach exactly the antipodes of users
Seen from the exact geographical point where the wording of TechMarkup Peruthe traveler from the center of the Earth would appear on the other side of the world in the Pursat Province, Cambodia.
The AntipodesMap helps you find the other side of the world from anywhere on Earth. Simply indicate the desired initial location and the system offers the result, with drawings in which it simulates a user sticking his head out on the other side of the planet.
In both maps you can move and zoom in and out of the location; and below each of them you can see the geographical reference coordinates (latitude and longitude).
