Google Maps has a wide array of APIs that let you embed the robust functionality and everyday usefulness of Google Maps into your own website and applications, and overlay your own data on top of them.

There are basically six types of Google Maps API's depending on the type of application you are developing.

1) Maps JavaScript API

Embed a Google Map in your webpage using JavaScript. Manipulate the map and add content through many services.

2) Maps API for Flash

Use this ActionScript API to embed a Google Map in your Flash-based web page or app. Manipulate the Map in three dimensions and add content through many services.

3) Google Earth API

Embed a true 3D digital globe into your web page. Take your visitors anywhere on the Earth (even below the ocean) without leaving your web page.

4) Static Maps API

Embed a fast and simple Google Maps image in your web page or mobile site without requiring JavaScript or any dynamic page loading.

5) Web Services

Use URL requests to access geocoding, directions, elevation, and places information from client applications, and manipulate the results in JSON or XML.

6) Maps Data API

View, store and update map data through Google Data API feeds, using a model of features (placemarks, lines & shapes) and collections of features.

Out of these six API's , Static Maps API is simplest to use and implement and is good for beginners.

A Quick Example on how to use STATIC MAPS API :

The following example contains the URL of a static map image of Gwalior , Madhya Pradesh .

http://maps.google.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=Gwalior,Madhya+Pradesh&zoom=14&size=512x512&maptype=roadmap&markers=color:blue|label:S|40.702147,-74.015794&markers=color:green|label:G|40.711614,-74.012318&markers=color:red|color:red|label:C|40.718217,-73.998284&sensor=false

You don't need to do anything "special" to get this image to show up on the page. No JavaScript is required. All we needed to do was create a URL, and place it within an tag. You can place a Google static map anywhere on your webpage where you can place an image.

If we wanted to show map of "indore" then simply in place of Gwalior,Madhya+Pradesh ; type - Indore , madhya+pradesh

http://maps.google.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=Indore,Madhya+Pradesh&zoom=14&size=512x512&maptype=roadmap&markers=color:blue|label:S|40.702147,-74.015794&markers=color:green|label:G|40.711614,-74.012318&markers=color:red|color:red|label:C|40.718217,-73.998284&sensor=false

Other attributes like zoom and size can also be changed according to the appliation need.

For more details click on any of the API for complete documentation, examples and tutorials.

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