Where is Georgia on Google Maps?

A few misguided sections of the mainstream media have been posing questions about the lack of map data for Georgia, even questioning whether Google has removed map data from the area because of the present conflict. Google has therefore released a statement to hopefully clarify the situation,

"We're constantly searching for the best map data we can find, and sometimes will delay launching coverage in a country if we think we can get more comprehensive data. Some of our customers have asked if we removed map data from any of these countries in response to the recent hostilities in that region and I can assure you that is not the case. Data for these countries were never on Google Maps in the first place."

Google also say that many users have told them that they would prefer to see even very basic coverage of a country than see nothing at all and therefore Google are preparing data for the handful of countries that are still blank on Google Maps. This is very good news. At the moment Google Maps does not even show the de facto independent regions of South Ossetia or Abkhazia.

If you are interested in learning more about the conflict in the area a Google Earth Community member, Catholicgauze has produced a kml of the conflict showing South Ossetia and Abkhazia and some of the areas being disrupted by fighting. The kml can be viewed on Google Maps here.

Via: Google LatLong: Where is Georgia on Google Maps?