My Google Map Blog

In celebration of the new year many people shoot off fireworks, and we love to show off the work of GEB reader 'Steven' who took it a step further and created some great 3D fireworks in Google Earth! As you can read about in his blog, the fireworks are intended to duplicate the 2011 Taiwan New Years Eve show, based on the simulation that you can view here.

As you can see from the photo above, the fireworks aren't just simple animated images -- they're fully 3D! Some of them shoot into the sky, and some wrap around the Taipei 101 tower. As Steven points out in his post, animations like this are only possible because of the work of 3D modelers that created the buildings. In this case, credit goes to user Tang Huang who created the exceptionally detailed model of the Taipei 101 tower.

To see the fireworks in action, you can view them here using the Google Earth Plug-in, download this KMZ file, or watch the video below:

For another fun way to view fireworks, Keir at Google Maps Mania built a map that allows you to view video from celebrations around the world. It's a simple map that does a great job.

Happy New Year!

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What a great Street View year this fifth year has been! So many new countries and areas were added. Among the new StreetView countries this year: Russia, Botswana, Chile, Croatia, Estonia, India, Israel, Ukraine and many more. We’ve had a lot of fun watching some amazing stuff on Street View in 2012.

Now, let’s take a look at the very best Street View images of the year selected by StreetViewFun.com. Which one is your favourite of 2012?

12. Pisa tower tourist’s classic pose

11. Message on Italian beach

10. Hey, hands off!

9. What is this busty girl doing at their wedding?

8. Push me!

7. Google Maps StreetView car hit a donkey in Botswana

6. Guy calling for assistance

5. Google Maps Street View car stuck in sand at river crossing in Botswana

4. But mommy I forgot my swim goggles

3. Rollerblading talent on Google Maps StreetView

2. Weirdest guys on Google Maps Street View?

Drumroll please… the best Street View image of 2012 goes to…

1. Disposable student

Funniest Street View images of 2011