How to find GPS coordinates for a location using Google Maps

The following simple steps will usually allow you to identify the exact latitude and longitude coordinates for a specific location using Google Map satellite images - obviously a wild camping site in the case of this site. The ability to identify a site is somewhat dependent on the quality of Googles satellite imaging which varies from country to country and region to region.

1> Open your browser and go to http://maps.google.com. Allow several seconds for the page to fully load as sometimes the controls only appear after a pause in which time you are likely to think they've been misplaced in the ether.

2> Click on the "Map" button to ensure that you are using this view ( it's much easier to navigate the world with a map rather than a satellite image at this stage of the process ).

3> Using the zoom control and the ability to drag and re-position the map window locate the approximate area you are looking for.

4> Click on the "Satellite" button to convert the view to satellite imaging.

5> Using known local landmarks visually pinpoint the wild camping site. Move the cursor over the location and click the right mouse button. Select the option "Center map here". This will re-centre the map on your camping spot.

6> Click on the "Link" link at the top right of the map. You will see a textbox with a link in something like this :

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=0.028355,0.054...

7> The latitude and longitude coordinates are the two decimal numbers following the &ll. In this case a latitude of 37.0625 and a longitude of 0.028355.

That's all there is to it.

Cheers

Dave
Webmaster