What is the size of Iraq compared to that of, say, Texas? They’re about the same, with Texas being slightly bigger. I know because I did a quick comparison using Mapfrappe, which you can see by clicking this link (scroll down a little bit, to see Iraq superimposed on top of Texas).
MapFrappe is a free online service that uses Google maps in an innovative new way, to let you make comparisons and juxtapose one geographic element, such as a country, continent, etc.
next to (or on top of) another. It is a two step process: first, it lets you make an outline of a country or element that you want using simple tools, and it will then allow you to drag this outline onto a map of the world, and place it wherever you want it. It’s a nice learning tool and a very interesting application for Google maps.
MapFrappe provides two maps that you can use. Here’s a quick description of the process
Step 1: make an outline.
Use the upper map to do this. Simply click on the map, then click again to draw a line, etc., until you have your outline
Step 2: move the bottom map around.
The outline you created in step 1 will be displayed in the middle of the bottom map (the comparison map). Simply move it around to make comparisons.
Note that moving the bottom map around may (strangely) result in slight changes in the scale of the map itself. Your outline will seem as if it is growing smaller or larger, because the scale is changing, but do not worry; the actual ratio of your outline vs. the map is preserved.
Step 3 (optional): create a link that you can share with others or keep.
Click on the ‘Make URL’ under the ‘Permanent URL’ section to get a link that preserves your outline and its placement on the world map.
The verdict:
a terrific, original, and innovative idea. This is not something that most people will be using on a regular basis, but if you need something like this you will appreciate that someone took the time and effort to put this tool together. Kudos to the developers for a very nice application and an innovative implantation of the Google maps API
[Thanks to reader Panzer for the tip about this service]
Visit MapFrappe.
