LA Zone Flickr+Google Maps Mashup w/ KML Overlays

An interactive Google map with KML overlays allows visitors to explore data and images while learning about the forces that have shaped the landscape of southern California. Visitors can toggle between map overlays and thematic areas that explore fire, air, water, and earth. Phenomena such as water supply, fire risk, Santa Ana wind patterns, and fault line distribution are displayed in graphic overlays. These overlays tell the story of a landscape shaped by a diverse set of influences, and each comes with a legend that describes the data portrayed. The user interface is provided in both English and Spanish.

Geotagged photo and video content, managed by Flickr, is displayed across the map. Visitors can explore the content through the use of intuitive gestures. Photos can be zoomed and moved around the table, with the photo’s source tied visually to its location on the underlying map. Flipping the images over reveals title, author, copyright, and descriptive information about each photograph. Written in both English and Spanish, the data ties each point of interest to the larger exhibit narrative. Applications settings can be easily changed in the XML. This versatile mashup can also be reconfigured to display other geographic locations.