Google Maps requires no introduction. Utilized by millions of users, the app provides ease of navigation – anywhere around the world with satellite imagery, street maps, real-time traffic conditions, and route planning via different modes of transportation including car, bus, train, and even foot.
In fact, the latest stats suggest Google Maps to hold satellite images of areas where almost 98% of the world’s population lives.
Phew, that’s a lot of data and we can only wonder how Google handles it all!
In this regard, we recently came across a YouTube video by RealLifeLore that claims there are several countries that Google Maps does not highlight.
During your navigation, you must have noticed that a country’s border is highlighted with a red line. However, according to the latest findings, Google Maps does not emphasize some countries due to various political barriers.
In fact, RealLifeLore reveals there are over 20 countries that are not highlighted by the world's largest web-mapping service.
For example, India and Pakistan have fought over the ownership of Jammu and Kashmir for over 70 years. The dispute got complicated in the 1970s when Pakistani military took control of some parts of Jammu and Kashmir – now known as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, while China occupied its northeastern areas.
Now each of these countries claims the possession of Kashmir. But the search giant has found a middle ground to keep harmony with its service.
What happens is that if you open Google Maps from India, you will see the entire Kashmir as part of the country with the borders marked by solid lines. However, if you see from China, the China-occupied Kashmir is shown as part of its geographical location and marked similarly with solid lines. Lastly, if you see the Maps from Pakistan – the borders to determine the disputed areas are marked with dotted lines.
Google Map follows the same protocol with Arunachal Pradesh, a region that is a subject of conflict between both - India and China. If you open the app from India, Arunachal Pradesh is seen as part of India while Google shifts the borders when Maps is viewed from China.
However, when the same conflicted countries are viewed from any other country – for example, Canada, the borders are shown with dotted lines.
YouTube channel RealLifeLore also explains the potential reasons for Google to alter its service according to the locations. The most obvious was Google’s intention to remain in cordial terms with each country.
Just imagine if Google pisses off a country like China over political dispute, the search giant can lose a major chunk of its user base – not to mention the revenue.
To cultivate peace, Google has found an interesting way to please each country. As a matter of fact, it has been doing for many years - without gaining the public attention. And with so many difference of opinion around the world, we do need this kind of peacemaking – right?
Read next: Google Translate will soon be offering real-time translation like Google Assistant
In fact, the latest stats suggest Google Maps to hold satellite images of areas where almost 98% of the world’s population lives.
Phew, that’s a lot of data and we can only wonder how Google handles it all!
In this regard, we recently came across a YouTube video by RealLifeLore that claims there are several countries that Google Maps does not highlight.
During your navigation, you must have noticed that a country’s border is highlighted with a red line. However, according to the latest findings, Google Maps does not emphasize some countries due to various political barriers.
In fact, RealLifeLore reveals there are over 20 countries that are not highlighted by the world's largest web-mapping service.
For example, India and Pakistan have fought over the ownership of Jammu and Kashmir for over 70 years. The dispute got complicated in the 1970s when Pakistani military took control of some parts of Jammu and Kashmir – now known as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, while China occupied its northeastern areas.
Now each of these countries claims the possession of Kashmir. But the search giant has found a middle ground to keep harmony with its service.
What happens is that if you open Google Maps from India, you will see the entire Kashmir as part of the country with the borders marked by solid lines. However, if you see from China, the China-occupied Kashmir is shown as part of its geographical location and marked similarly with solid lines. Lastly, if you see the Maps from Pakistan – the borders to determine the disputed areas are marked with dotted lines.
Google Map follows the same protocol with Arunachal Pradesh, a region that is a subject of conflict between both - India and China. If you open the app from India, Arunachal Pradesh is seen as part of India while Google shifts the borders when Maps is viewed from China.
However, when the same conflicted countries are viewed from any other country – for example, Canada, the borders are shown with dotted lines.
YouTube channel RealLifeLore also explains the potential reasons for Google to alter its service according to the locations. The most obvious was Google’s intention to remain in cordial terms with each country.
Just imagine if Google pisses off a country like China over political dispute, the search giant can lose a major chunk of its user base – not to mention the revenue.
To cultivate peace, Google has found an interesting way to please each country. As a matter of fact, it has been doing for many years - without gaining the public attention. And with so many difference of opinion around the world, we do need this kind of peacemaking – right?
Read next: Google Translate will soon be offering real-time translation like Google Assistant
