Add mapping capabilities

[Guest]

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[btannenbaum]

So I was thinking that I'd really like to see exactly where my entrepreneurs are located.  If I could get their coordinates (latitude, longitude) then I could enter that into Google Earth and zoom into their neighborhood.  Even better would be to have this automated within the kiva.org web site.  I think this could really help sponsors see where their funding goes.

If this is interesting to Kiva folks, I'll help explore how this could be done.

Thanks,
Bruce

[QueenOfHearts]

Hi again Bruce...alot of us here have created our own maps...there is a list on kivapedia...and of course the IGive group has their own map on their web page...

[Joe]

Here's that link Queen mentioned

http://www.kivapedia.org/index.php/List_of_Kiva_Lender_Maps

I'd also like to see mapping on Kiva's listings. They already post the locations (for most). I think adding a link to or embedding a small map using Google or Microsoft's mapping technology would be a fun and educational feature. Even better if they could take your location from your account settings and calculate mileage / instantly draw a line from your city to the rough location of the business you're currently looking at.

[Diane R]

Adding a little plug-in on each loan, which would add the location/borrower to an existing map would be awesome.  I haven't created my own map yet because I'm not willing to take the time to plug in the info for each borrower individually.  An automated feature to do that for me would be excellent.  Great suggestion, Bruce, it's spawning more ideas!

--Diane.

[btannenbaum]

So I tried just putting in "City, Country" into Google Maps for a random selection of borrowers.  Some countries, such as Mozambique, were great with lots of detail.  Others, such as Togo, were not as good.  The problem is that the imagery can vary in resolution by country.  The best stuff allows you to see things as small as 1 meter across.  Other content is 30 meter resolution, which doesn't let you see any detail in a location.

Diane - In terms of automation, the best I can think of is to use Google's Geocoding capabilities in their Maps API.  This converts a street address (could be just a city, state, country, etc) into coordinates that Google can pinpoint on a map.  This is essentially what we do when we type something into the search bar for Google Maps.  I'm going to see if I can rig something up (later this weekend).

[Henry]

btannenbaum, check these out:

http://www.mymapsplus.com/script/embed.aspx?map=kivashoppingclub&fs=1

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=100711882547735821652.00043780c969ecc69e993&z=0&om=1

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=100711882547735821652.000001131197315a37272&ie=UTF8&z=2&om=1

I know what your saying about detail, I had to research two or three, and just place the pinpoint.

[btannenbaum]

Hank,

Those are some cool maps.  I particularly like the second one with links in the pushpins to more information about the partner organization.

Thanks!

[Henry]

I like that one also, and i'll try to keep it up to date.   

Now what's really fun is to overlay one of the google extra's such as the 'recent earthquake' map .     I'm still hunting for a weaher map overlay, but as of yet can't find one.  (i think you can add my maps to your maps and then have it available, then the google extra's are there somewhere to add to your maps)

[wind5001]

Hare,

I like your MFI map! Great idea.