The Burj Dubai on Google Maps

Burj, Dubai

The tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa (formerly known as the Burj Dubai) is due to be opened today. The Burj Dubai is 828m (2,684 ft) tall.

Unfortunately Google Maps' satellite view only shows what the location looked like before the building of the Burj began. But you needn't worry as this Google Earth plugin application allows you to view the Burj Khalifa in glorious 3D.

Viewing the skyscraper in Google Earth allows you to compare the Burj to other nearby buildings and really helps to impress upon you the amazing size of this building.

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Dubai, Abu Dhabi (UAE) now on Google Maps!

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Added to Google Maps!



The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on the map! Residents of and visitors to the UAE can now view streets and roads for major cities such as Dubai and Abu-Dhabi! While map searching isn't yet available there, searching for "User-created content" on Google Maps searching will. For example, center the map on the UAE and enter "Ski Dubai", or other search terms for Dubai to see where users of the geoweb have plotted locations for their content. It's very helpful.

New Google Maps mashups from Dubai:

REstate.ae - A new Google Maps real estate mashup that displays property locations, neighborhood boundaries and calculates distance from a property to local landmarks.
Interactive Map of Gulf Architecture - Created using Google My Maps [via/info]

Here are two photosets of trips I took to Dubai in 2005 and 2006..

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Google Maps Mania is digging Dubai

For the past week I've been at a trade show with my work here in Dubai, UAE (hence the thin posting) This is my second time here. The first was last year at this time for the same event. Things have definitely changed in one year with even more high rise towers and double the number of construction cranes dotting the horizon. There's a boom in development here and it doesn't look like it's stopping anytime soon. Take a look down below for my trip photos and videos..


Coincidentally, just as I was touching down here I was contacted by Hesham Amiri who informed me of the first known Dubai Google Maps mashup called Map.Ocit.AE. Hesham describes it as "..a site based on the Google Maps API targeted for residents and visitors of the Emirate of Dubai where users can add interesting markers, comments and bookmarks." And for even more Google Maps based information about Dubai be sure to check out the ever-essential travel resource: Wikimapia (Dubai zoom-in).


I've been trying to get as much sightseeing in as possible in the evenings and I've had a fantastic time. I even made the trip to the Mall of the Emirates last evening to take some runs in the indoor ski hill called Ski Dubai.. and it wasn't too bad! :) I've busy with my digital camera capturing everything I can and I have the following personal photos and clips if you're interested (check back in 2 or 3 days when I'll add more to this pool. Until then expect some time before my next post as I journey back to Canada. Explore some of the mashup and tools links along the right side of the blog.. Here are the pics and videos:

Flickr Photo Set: Dubai 06 - Here is one great shot from Flickr user Trimpop that looks down Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. It shows the already present residential and business towers with the Burj Dubai being constructed off in the distance. This will be the tallest building in the world once complete. (Here are my photos from last year)

YouTube videos: Two clips showing the in-seat video channels that show live camera views out the front and belly of the Emirates flight I was on - Taking off from Heathrow and a landing in Dubai. And finally, here are some short video clips of the Ski Dubai facility: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.