Google Maps - Creating Static Map

Have you ever wanted to include a Google Map as part of an article on the area where your family roots originated (using historiestemplate.php as a starting point)?

Google Static Maps API

Have you thought about using the Google Static Maps APIrather than the full javascript one.

It is much faster as it functions without javascript and it requires only a single image tag. I feel it much more appropriate for such articles and blogs - you can see it in action here: http://goodstadt.info/the-goodstadt-memoirs-grandma-goodstadt/ where you can also see it allows the use of of markers.

It is almost as complete as the dynamic version. Check out the documentation towards the bottom.

Google's Map Wizard

It isn't difficult at all especially using Google's Map Wizard

Here is a guide if that isn't clear enough.

UK Multimaps alternative

If you are dealing with UK geography check out the Multimaps' own API

They are the map providers for Microsoft's Live / Bing Maps and some prefer the style and more accurate labeling they provide.

Acknowledgement

Information provided on User2 list by Mike Goodstadt on 8 Jun 2009