The Makerere University on Google Maps
Over 100 students of the Makerere University of Uganda took part in a digital mapping process of their city in a Google competition.

The event dubbed “mapping your world” was used to create and improve maps of places that the students know and love.

According to Google, the students used Google Map Maker, which allows you to create a map by adding or editing features to satellite images such as roads, businesses, parks, schools and more.

Michael Kakande was adjudged the overall winner and took home a netbook. The first year student of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology input resulted in over 1,200 additions to Google Map Maker

The internet search giant said: “During the month-long competition, students made over 7,000 edits and modifications to data for hospitals, gas stations, schools, businesses, government and utility offices, among others.”
Source: http://www.africanews.com/site/Uganda_Students_map_out_cities_on_Google/list_messages/31877

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afrol News, 26 January – A team of environmental scientists and bird experts have discovered a remote treasure in Mozambique’s hidden Mount Mabu.

Using Google Earth to identify a remote patch of pristine forest, the scientists on an expedition to the site discovered new species of butterfly and snake, along with seven Globally Threatened birds, in the area that they acknowledge to be the locally known, but unmapped,, also adding that scientific collections and literature also failed to shed light on the area.

“This is potentially the biggest area of medium-altitude forest I’m aware of in southern Africa, yet it was not on the map,” related Jonathan Timberlake from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew), who led the expedition. “Most Mozambicans would not even have recognised the name Mount Mabu,” he said.

Following scoping trips, a team of 28 experts from the UK, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Belgium, Ireland, and Switzerland, that included scientists from BirdLife, ventured into the forest, having to challenge the steep terrain and dense vegetation.

Inside, they found a wealth of wildlife, including three new species of butterfly and an undiscovered species of adder. The scientists believe there are at least two novel species of plant and perhaps more new insects to identify. They took home over 500 samples. “The phenomenal diversity is just mind-boggling”, exclaimed Jonathan Timberlake. Despite civil war from 1975 to 1992 ravaging parts of Mozambique, the landscape was found virtually untouched, the group said.
To read the full article go to http://www.afrol.com/articles/32263

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