PHG Google Maps update

Hello PHG fans! This week I'm happy to announce a big update to the website, with a new and improved Google Maps experience. As many of you know, the idea behind the Google Maps feature on Pacific History Guide is to allow users to find the locations listed on the website more easily, using your personal device.

I recently discovered a problem with that maps function; it seems like the max limit for places that can be shown on the Google Maps app is 3,000, even if more can be loaded and viewed on their website. With roughly 4,500 locations saved on the Pacific History Guide account, that means that every new pin dropped was another one that couldn't be seen by the folks the list was designed for. At the same time, I had to admit that the list was unwieldy, and wasn't specified enough for its purpose. You can see, there's just a few locations saved in Japan and Korea...

Japan and Korea on PHG (after changing the Google Maps lists)

It was an easy decision but a daunting task. Over the course of four days, I moved all of the pins around and made a separate list for each location on the website. It was a massive amount of work, but it's a lot easier to use the product now. Each location page has a link to its corresponding map. Just click on the map image (or the button below), and you will be taken straight to Google Maps. From there, you can save the list to your personal app, and follow it. As an example, here's what you'll see when you go to the Australia page:

An example of a Google Maps link from the Australia page on Pacific History Guide

Clicking on the image will open up the shared list on Google Maps. You'll see the pins there, as pictured below, and be able to save the map to your personal account. Each location list is shareable, and going to any location page will present the maps just as shown here:

Australia on the official PHG Google Maps

The one page that's different is Japan. With over 2,600 locations saved, it will probably reach the 3,000 pin limit in the next year. In order to avoid putting that off until later, and with the recognition that most people do not visit the entirety of Japan in one visit, I broke the list into different regions, matching what's already on the page. Here's what that looks like:

From the Japan page of Pacific History Guide

The three pillars of Pacific History Guide are the location pages, blog, and Google Maps. These are set firmly on the foundation of the reading and resource lists. With all of this working in concert, we can more easily help servicemembers, DOD civilians and their families discover local and regional history, where they are. I look forward to hearing your feedback, both positive and negative, on any part of the website.

Thanks, and happy exploring!

Tony