Google Mapping Africa

Two of my favorite blogs are Google Maps Mania and Google  Lat Long Blog.  Ever since I was a child I have been loved perusing over paper maps.  Though I still love paper maps, online maps such as Google Maps and Google Earth allow you customize your maps in ways you never previously dreamed of. 

 

Up till very recently both Google Earth and Google Maps had only minimal countries and detail on Africa.  Now Google Maps has added 45 African countries to it's Map Maker which allows you to enter information on those areas with poor data.  Google Lat Long writes

We are excited to announce that users may now build and edit maps in Map Maker  for 45 new African countries, bringing the total number of countries covered in Map Maker to 122 countries, covering a population of 3 billion people. The Map Maker team is very excited about this announcement as Africa symbolizes our dream - to bring rich, deep map and local data to places that had none. Having good maps and local data spurs investment, local commerce and planning.

The next step is to build up the maps for the 45 countries which technically can be done by anyone. Having said that I have been trying for the past hour with no luck.  If you are interested in help to build the maps this guide should be of use.