Easily Create a Custom Google Map
February 18, 2009 by Timothy
Filed under GIS Tips, Google Maps
Google maps are all around us. These maps can be embeded into websites. They can also be customized to include various types of information for display.
Instead of looking up temporary maps, you can create custom maps with various elements like pushpins, lines, and polygons that can be saved and accessed on demand. These maps can be accessed with a direct link or placed on a web page.
To create a custom map:
1. Go to Google Maps
Make sure you are logged into Google so that your map is saved under your account. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one here.
2. Click on My Maps
3. Click Create new map
4. Enter map information
- Map Title
- Description
- Privacy Settings
- Public
- Unlisted
5. Add additional elements to map
- Add a Placemark
- Add text to information balloon
- Draw a Line
- Will give you distance of line
- Draw a Shape
- Will give you area of shape
6. Click Done to save map
Note: You can make changes to your map by clicking the Edit button.
With your own custom map, you can now embed it into your own webpage or blog.
Check out the Embed Basic Google Maps into Websites.






