Benazir Bhutto assasinated in Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Benazir Bhutto was assasinated today at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. This is the same place where Pakistan's 1st Prime Minister - Liaquat Ali Khan was assasinated in October 16th, 1951. Here's a Google Maps Satellite view of Liaquat National Park, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.


Click here for the latest news (via Google News RSS Feed + Google Maps) from Pakistan.

Fond Farewell - People who left us in 2007 (TIME)

Time Magazine has a list out there titled "Fond Farewell" which lists people who left us in 2007. Check out the Google Maps View of Time's List which shows the birth places of people who left us.

Happy Holidays!!

Happy Holidays! from MIBAZAAR.

On this occasion I have created a Google Maps Mashup of Towns/Cities in United States with Christmas or Holiday Season Names.

Christmas Card arrives after 93 years

CNN is reporting that a Christmas card mailed from Alma, Nebraska on December 23rd, 1914 finally arrived at its destination in Oberlin, Kansas this month (December 2007). The card arrived in a perfect shape! Here's a look at the journey on Google Maps.

Our Dumb World - The Onion Atlas

Onion brings to you Google Maps View of "Our Dumb World". Quote from their website

Click on the Onion pins scattered around the globe to reveal mind-expanding factoids about the lesser, conquerable nations of the Earth. Come back each week to learn more about how little you know.

(via).
Here's Onion's view of Iraq on Google Maps

Detroit, MI on Google Maps Street View

Hello Detroiters! You are now on Google Maps Street View. Check out maps.google.com and click on "Street View" Button. You can view street level photographs. Here's a look at "Hard Rock Cafe" in Downtown, Detroit. (Thanks to Mike Pegg of GoogleMapsMania for the the tip)

NCAA Football - Bowl Schedule (2007-2008) Mapped!

Check out NCAA College Football's 2007-2008 Bowl Schedule on Google Maps. This Google Maps Mashup sorts the Bowl Schedule by

• Game Date
• Teams Traveling most miles
• Teams Traveling least Miles

Dakota Apartments, New York City

Dakota apartments is located on the northwest corner of 72nd Street and Central Park West in New York City.

On this day (December 08) in 1980, John Lennon was fatally shot by Mark David Chapman in front of Dakota Apartments.

Here's a Google Maps Street View of entrance to Dakota Apartments where John Lennon was shot.

ACT Scores by State (2007) - Mapped!

I have mapped out ACT Scores by State for 2007. This Google Maps Mashup shows the State Ranking in following categories:

• Percentage of Graduates Tested
• Average Composite Scores
• Average Math Scores
• Average Reading Scores
• Average Science Scores
• Average English Scores

Related: Top 100 High Schools in United States

Google Mapping US Presidential Candidates Event Trails

Google has created a "Elections 2008" gadget to help

people stay up-to-date on the latest campaign maps, news, videos and blog posts from the election trail. Add the gadget to your iGoogle homepage to follow the race. You can choose the candidates you want to follow, or keep tabs on them all.

Check out the maps tab of this gadget to view candidate event trails. Try searching for your own city or state to see which presidential hopeful will be campaigning near you!

(via) (also check out my 2008 US Presidential Candidates mashup).

Google Mapping your Cravings

You are craving for say "Spinach Pizza" but are not sure where you can find one. FoodieBytes steps in to help you out. Visit FoodieBytes and type in "Spinach Pizza" along with your current location. FoodieBytes lists all the restaurants in the area which serve up "Spinach Pizza".

Here's an example of search result for "Spinach Pizza" in Mountain View, California. (via mashable)

Here comes "SatLav" - A Toilet Locator Service in London, UK

Remember "SatNav" - a service to help lost drivers. Here comes "SatLav". Reuters is reporting that city of Westminister (London, UK) has launched a new mobile phone text message service which will guide londoners and tourists to the nearest public lavatory. Not mentioned here is the mapping tool which might be used to guide you to the nearest lavatory. More than likely this will show up on Google Maps Mobile.

This from Westminister City website

Text TOILET to 80097 to locate your nearest public toilet.

Out all day Christmas shopping in the West End? Heading home after one too many festive drinks? Children desperate for the toilet?

We’ve all been caught short out and about. But in Westminster you don’t have to be any more.

Every year 10,000 gallons of urine is at risk of ending up in the city’s streets and alleyways through irresponsible and anti-social behaviour.

We’ve launched an innovative new service so that you can locate your nearest public convenience in Westminster 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Just text the word "toilet" to 80097 and you will be texted back with the location and opening hours of your nearest public toilet.

Countries with Nuclear Weapons

I was reading a Newsweek Magazine (dated July 9th, 2007) titled "181 Things you need to know now". One of the things you need to know is "Where the Nukes are Now". Here's a Google Maps View of the "Countries with Nukes" with information on Strategic Weapons, Stockpile, Megatons and Total Military Budget. I have also added information on approximate size of destructive power (in terms of number of Hiroshima's) each country possesses.

"Vision" Maps Mania

First there was TwitterVision, then there was FlickVision and then there was WikipediaVision and now there is UKPropertyVision Google Maps Mashup.

The latest "vision" Google Maps Mashup called UKPropertyVision taps into Nestoria API. This quote from Nestoria Blog on UK Property Vision Mashup:

For you property addicts out there, welcome to paradise. Kick back, grab a glass of something nice, and just let the homes dance across the screen on Google Maps.

Rock Star's home "Burned to Crisp" in Malibu Fires

Both LA Times and CNN is reporting that Flea who is a bassist for the group Red Hot Chili Pepper, has lost his home in Malibu Fires. Flea whose real name is Michael Balzary describes it this way - His home has been "Burnt to Crisp". This home was up for sale and was listed for $4.8 million at Pritchett-Rapf.

Take a look at the terrain in Google Earth (also view in Google Maps) where this home was sitting. This home must have burnt out real quick.

Albert, Texas sold on eBay for $3.8 million

Albert, Texas is a town 16 miles southeast of Fredericksburg and 1 mile west of the Blanco County line in southeastern Gillespie County, Texas.

Bobby Cave, owner of the town of 13 acres put it up for sale on eBay with a reserve price of $2.5 million.

CNN is reporting that someone in Italy placed the winning bid of $3.8 million on Friday in an online auction for an unpopulated, one-house Texas town. (Click for Google Maps View and eBay Listing image)

Wildfires threaten homes near Malibu, California

CNN is reporting that

A fast-moving wildfire destroyed more than a dozen homes and was spreading through the canyons and hills above Malibu, California, today, forcing dozens of residents to flee ahead of the flames.

Here's a view in Google Earth of the General Vicinity of the Wildfires (location source: LAFD). (Also view in Google Maps).

Have a Happy Thanksgiving - 2007

UPDATE: This Google Maps Mashup featured in Mike Pegg's Google Maps Mania and John Musser's ProgrammableWeb
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from MIBAZAAR. On this occasion I have put together Google Maps showing:

• Cities and Towns in USA called "TURKEY"
• Cities and Towns in USA which claim to be "TURKEY CAPITAL OF USA/WORLD"
• Cities and Towns in USA named "PLYMOUTH"
• Cities and Towns in USA named "CRANBERRY"

World's Priciest Cocktail at $51,200

Forbes has come out with a list of World's Priciest Cocktails. The most expensive cocktail priced at $51,200 named "DAZZLE" is available at 2nd Floor Bar, Harvey Nichols, Manchester, U.K. For a Google Maps view of the DAZZLE and the rest of the priciest cocktails click here.

What's so great about "DAZZLE"

This brew has rose Champagne and strawberry and lychee liqueur. But the real buzz comes from the18-karat white-gold ring with pink tourmaline and diamond stones nestled below all that booze. Security guards accompany your server as your drink is presented, and you can keep your ring in a safe next to the bar if you're planning on imbibing a few more--less expensive--drinks.

World Carbon Dioxide emissions Mapped!

Carma.org has come out with a impressive Google Maps Mashup of Carbon Dioxide emissions around the world. Leading the list is United States followed by China, Russia and India. The Carma (Carbon Monitoring for Action) website has also mapped out Power Plants and Power Companies which are responsible for Carbon Dioxide emissions.

Do check this website out. This site has been mentioned by BBC and CNN in addition to other media outlets.

Major Earthquake strikes Northern Chile

UPDATE: MAJOR AFTERSHOCKS REPORTED (CNN)
A major earthquake of the magnitude of 7.7 has struck Northern Chile. There have been widespread damage reported (more at CNN and BBC).

Here's Google Earth View (also view in Google Maps) of the Pedro Galleguillos tunnel which collapsed and where atleast 50 people were trapped. The Pedro Galleguillos tunnel is approx 2,600-foot (793-meter) long and located about 8.5 miles (14 km) north of Tocopilla, Chile.

Binge Drinking in America

United Health Foundation has a report out there titled "America Health Rankings - 2007". One of the component in the rankings is "Binge Drinking at the State Level". Here's a Google Maps View of percentage of adult population "Binge Drinking".

Binge Drinking is defined as "males having five or more drinks and females having four or more drinks on one occasion."

Wisconsin leads the nation in "Binge Drinking" where 24.2% of adult population do "Binge Drinking". Compare Wisconsin to Tennessee where 8.5% of adult population do "Binge Drinking". Compared to previous year Delaware recorded the largest increase in "Binge Drinking". In Delaware "Binge Drinking" increased from 15.6% to 19.0%. The National average is 15.3%.

Related: America's Drunkest Cities

Environmental Disaster near Black Sea

A powerful storm battered the Black Sea and Azov Sea region which resulted in (via and via)

four ships sinking, including an oil tanker, and four others are in danger of breaking up.

Up to 2,000 metric tons of fuel oil have leaked from the tanker in the Kerch Strait, which links the two seas.

A big clean-up operation is now under way, amid fears of an environmental disaster in the area.

At least two other ships were carrying potentially hazardous cargos when they sank, including nearly 6,000 tons of sulphur.

Google Maps view of the disaster location:

How much Carbon Dioxide does your flight produce?

Ever wondered how much you are contributing to Global Warming when you take that flight to see a loved one, attend a business meeting?

TerraPass has created a Google Maps Mashup to show you how much CO2 your flying puts in the air. Just key in your Departure Airport and Arrival Airport and the mashup will calculate the total CO2 for your round trip flight. (via)

The image belog shows CO2 emissions per passenger on a round trip flight from Detroit to San Diego.

Hollywood Shoots around Los Angeles Mapped!

Los Angeles resident Dave Bullock has created a Google Maps Mashup which shows the locations of current television, film and commercial shoots on the streets of Los Angeles. This mashup in addition to providing info to Los Angeles residents about where film shoots are taking place is also proving to be a handy tool for picketers and striking scribes eager to disrupt sets. (via)

Google Maps - Coming to a Gas Station Near You

Google LatLong Blog reports that very soon Google Maps will be available at Gas Stations across United States. This will help you find local businesses and also get directions. Quote from the post:

In the same way that we worked with Jet Blue and Virgin America to provide Google Maps on their flights, we want to make sure people can access the power of Google search whenever and wherever they need it.

And if we can improve a family vacation or two along the way, so much the better!

Journey from Refugee Camps in Africa to Princeton University

This is a remarkable story of Abass Hassan Mohammed. His journey starts in Somalia where he was born and then continues to refugee camps in North Eastern Kenya where he received his high school education. His academic achievements in High School leads to an acceptance at Princeton University. (more at NEWSWEEK).

I have tried my best to Google Map Abass Hassan's journey.

Know Thy Neighbor

Rotten Neighbor is a Google Maps Mashup of Rotten Neighbors. So before buying real estate check out this Google Maps Mashup to see if the property you are buying is sitting next to rotten folks.

Or you can help the community in general by adding information on Rotten Neighbors you come across. The adjacent image shows a couple in Chicago who don't have money to invest in blinds or....(via)

Find Wii Friends with MapWii.com

MapWii.com is a Google Maps Mashup of unique 16 digit Wii (video game console by Nintendo) Number. This quote from MapWii.com website (FAQ):

MapWii.com helps you find Wii Friends for your Wii Address Book. First, register your Wii at this site. Then, browse the maps for Wiis you would like to exchange information with. When you find a Wii you like, simply click the "Request" button, then "Yes", and MapWii.com will send an email to this user with instructions how to add your Wii Number to their Wii Address Book. You will also be emailed a reminder email to add their Wii Number to your Wii Address Book. Once you have added their Wii Number to your Wii Address Book, and if they add your Wii Number to their Wii Address Book, you will be able to send messages to each other with your Wiis.

MapWii.com has 21000+ members already registered worldwide. I was looking at the state of Michigan which has 300+ members registered. Its amazing how fast the markers got loaded.

New High Resolution Imagery for Washtenaw County, MI

High Resolution Imagery is now available for Washtenaw County, MI on Google Maps and Google Earth. (via)

Here are couple of images in Google Maps from around Washtenaw County, MI

Google Maps View of Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, MI.



Google Maps View of University of Michigan Football Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI.



Google Maps View of Eastern Michigan University Football Stadium

Real-Time polling on Google Maps

Yesterday it was WIKIPEDIAVISION and today there is another killer mashup to report. It is ASK500People. What is this mashup about?. Quoting the authors

We built Ask500People to gather input and opinion data in minutes instead of days, and to create a platform that other applications can integrate.

Here is how it works. You pose your poll question. It gets voted upon. The top vote getter's poll question is mapped and it gets voted upon with results and voting locations shown in real-time on Google Maps.

At the time I was looking at the site the poll question was "What will you do with the majority of your child's candy?". Majority wanted their Child to eat it all. I was in the minority, I wanted to trash it. Do check this mashup out. It is A+ mashup. (via)