Enhanced Google Maps imagery is available from API

Like many others I initially thought that the enhanced satellite imagery just updated in Google Maps for places like Belfast (and loads more) was not available via the API. I was wrong. My new mashup, Ireland Sightseeing, uses the updated imagery.

So what's the secret? Blindingly obvious - use version 2 of the API. Whilst v.2 hasn't stabilised yet and requires minor changes to your version 1 maps, in return you get the new imagery. It looks to me like the v.2 API gives you two less zoom levels than Google Maps itself on the new imagery, but c'est la vie.

If you want to find out more about version 2 of the API, this tutorial should tell you everything you need to get started (by Mike Williams).

Ireland sightseeing on Google Maps

Have a look at some sights visible on Google maps including some of the enhanced satellite imagery available for Northern Ireland with my basic Google maps mashup for Ireland sightseeing.

As well as the places from my last post, see a bit of the Peace Line on the Falls Road in Belfast, Carrickfergus Castle, Kilmainham Jail or the Crown Bar (at least from the air!). Plus a pile more.

Belfast sights on Google maps

Now that the Google Maps satellite imagery of Belfast is drastically improved, here are a few interesting sites to visit:

• Oil rig in Belfast harbour
• Samson and Goliath - the giant cranes in Harland and Woolf
• Stormont Castle - where all the best spies hang out
• Belfast Castle

Political party headquarters:

• Alliance party headquarters
  
• Sinn Fein headquarters
  
• Ulster Unionist Party headquarters

Sadly the Google Maps API is still using the old imagery, which is extremely low resolution for Belfast, so links will have to suffice for now.

Wine from Lebanon

Those nice people at Chateau Musar in the Bekaa Valley in the Lebanon confirmed that their red wines are vegan. I've updated the Vegan Wine Guide with their wines. I also got a list of almost 50 Brown Brothers wines (Australian) that are vegan, another nice addition (thanks to VeganVoltaire)! Finally all of the Andrew Peace red wines from Australia are vegan (thanks to Jared!).

• Lebanese wines
• Brown Brothers wines
• Andrew Peace wines
  

Vegetarian Ireland updates

I've added a couple of dozen more places to the Vegetarian Ireland map, covering a bit more of the country. I've updated the main website too - you can add your own places directly, plus you can now search by restaurant type as well as name and location:

• Japanese restaurants in Ireland
• Vegetarian places in Cavan (or on Google Map of Cavan)
  
• Health food shops in Ireland

Enjoy.