Google Map Geocoding is getting better and better, though it is still not very good at locating towns (and even some large cities) in the developing world. If it does not know a location it will throw up an error and the point cannot be plotted. I suspect Kiva is playing safe by working on just the countries and clustering them around a point. (personally I this becomes pretty meaningless with more than an handful of loans and it is a shame they don't link to one point in the country and give the number of loans in a marker - clicking on the marker could then provide the list).
I'd support that improvement of clustering locations, noting a marker and count, perhaps at the capital city of the country.
Side note: I am able to find most any towns, even in developing countries, using Google Earth.
My friend is an adventure traveller, and I look up the strangest places on GE from her travel log. Take for example, Taoudenni, Mali or Ouadane, Mauritania. GE is a great way to become more familiar with your borrower's country, town and its environment.
Besides the detailed satellite images (resolution seems to be improving everywhere, every day), GE has photos uploaded and posted all over the place, and it has lots of links into Wikis, and other sources.
I found a particular marketplace in a city cited on a loan description from Tanzania.
Cool!
Alph
