I put together a KML file that overlays maps from Google, Yahoo, Windows Live (MSN) and other sources in Google Earth.
Why? You may find useful to show street maps (even from Google) in Google Earth for areas that are not covered well by default. For example Google Maps (and Earth) has bad coverage over some areas like Eastern Europe where Yahoo and MSN live maps are much better. See the screenshots below.
Or click this link for default values: >>> maps.kml <<<
Note: The map displayed when you are zoomed out will not match exactly the country borders displayed by Google Earth. This happens because the maps from Yahoo and MSN use a projection different from what Google Earth expects. As you zoom in the maps will be more and more "accurate".
If you want to include a map overlay in your KML file, select a map type in the form above, then copy/paste the following code into your file. You may include several map overlays in the same file.
Screenshots for: Minsk, Kiev, Bucharest, Sofia, Cairo, Shanghai. Mouse hover the images to see the difference.
Minsk, Belarus (Windows Live Hybrid / Google Earth):
Kiev (Kyiv), Ukraine (Windows Live Hybrid / Google Earth):
Bucharest, Romania (Yahoo Hybrid Labels):
Sofia, Bulgaria (Yahoo Hybrid Labels):
Cairo, Egypt (Windows Live Maps, offsets -0.00049,0.00127 / Google Earth):
Shanghai, China (Google Ditu, offsets 0.0019,-0.0048 / Google Earth):
Copyright © 2009 Cristian Streng