Google has released version 4 of their amazing 3D mapping software, Google Earth. If you haven’t played around with it, I highly recommend giving it a try, especially if you have kids who are learning geography. “Fly” around the earth and see both satellite views and road maps. Overlay landmarks and geographic features. See 3D buildings in some locations. Download additional layers of features and travel guides, or create your own virtual tours. (Google has an online list of top places you can “sightsee” from Google Earth, including the Grand Canyon, Eiffel Tower, and Hoover Dam.)
You need to download it and install it on your computer (PC, Mac, or Linux). It doesn’t run on the Web like Google itself. Google recommends running it on a desktop younger than four years, or a notebook younger than two years. If you have this, and meet the other system requirements, it’s a straightforward install with just a few clicks.
I’ve been loving the National Geographic layer that’s included with the download. Select it from the Layers menu, then click the little yellow rectangles that appear, and you’ll see photographs and links to National Geographic articles about those locations.
It’s a rich program and I’ve only begun to scratch the surface. Turn it over to your teens and see what they can do . . .