Culture

Google maps 'demolish British history'

by Paul Conneally | August 28, 2008 at 03:30 pm

454 views | 22 Recommendations | 6 comments

Internet maps such as those made by Google ae demolishing British history by effectively not including historic monuments, battlefields etc on them according to super map maker Mary Spence. Traditional cartography is at risk of collapse as more and more people turn to the internet for maps many of which are made only in order to get people from A to B and leave out landmarks not needed for travel such as ancient woodland, rivers and other features. Maps it is argued are more than just aids to travel they map out aspects of ou culture by including features that society deems important at the tim of the map making.

Internet mapping is wiping the rich geography and history of Britain off the map, Britain's most senior cartographer warned yesterday.

Churches, cathedrals, stately homes, battlefields, ancient woodlands, rivers, eccentric landmarks and many more features which make up the tapestry of the British landscape are not being represented in online maps, which focus on merely providing driving directions, said Mary Spence, President of the British Cartographical Society.

As a result, such monuments could fade from public consciousness, she told a session on the Future of the Map at the annual conference in London of the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers.

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Amy Judd

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 15:38 on August 28th, 2008

LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.

I think all those monuments are important to a map and could actually help with driving directions. For example 'turn right at the old church' - they shouldn't leave them out.

mtippett

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 22:41 on August 28th, 2008

This is very interesting.

juliehoaas

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 23:27 on August 28th, 2008

LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.

I agree. I always try to find things that might interest me that is perhaps not very famous but important to the country/place I am visiting. If I had a proper map, I might be able to find that.

Maybe Google will listen, and add to their maps in the future ;) I really like the satellite view of Tokyo, Japan :D

Cathleen (not verified)

at 09:10 on August 29th, 2008

Google is constantly developing their maps. Google is a private company. They are not required to do anything. Why hasn't the Royal Geographical Society or The Institute of British Geographers offered to help Google build a better map? Instead of helping they complain.