Mapping the world got a little more interesting today as Google announced the launch of My Maps, a new feature of Google Maps that enables users to quickly and easily create custom maps for personal use or sharing through search. With this release, creating maps mashups is now as simple as pointing and clicking.

From chronicling trips, to sharing tips and documenting academic endeavors, My Maps empowers users to create content-rich maps that are relevant to their interests, expertise, or personal needs. Users can embed all sorts of content in their personal maps, such as Rich Text, HTML, online photos, and even video clips from services like Google Video or YouTube. The custom maps include virtual pushpins that lead viewers to audio, video, and images. These

With My Maps users can:

• Mark locations on a map from a library of icons

• Draw lines and shapes to highlight paths and areas

• Add text, photos, or YouTube/Google Videos to a map

• Add HTML for further personalization

• View their maps in Google Earth

Users can choose to make their My Maps unlisted or public. Unlisted maps are intended for personal use or sharing with friends and family by email. Public My Maps will be accessible through Google Maps search along with maps shared by other web sites in the KML format. My Maps users can store maps they have created or viewed when signed into their Google Account.

We expect that public maps created by our users will further enrich the Google Maps and Earth search experience by providing additional rich, local, and visual information about the world from our best source - our users.

My Maps is available in 10 countries and can be accessed on the Google Maps homepage at: http://maps.google.com.