The Multimedia Journalism class is moving into chloropleths using Google Fusion Tables this week, but I’d like to encourage everybody to keep thinking of ways you can use Google Maps Engine to deliver useful info to online audiences. So here are a few interactive maps from the last few weeks that deserve your attention if you’re trying to get a handle on what you can do with Google Maps Engine:

  • Themed runs: Spingo.com has a nifty one that will help you locate color runs and other themed 5K and 10K runs.
  • Tracking the situation in Ukraine: Business New Europe tweeted about this interactive map of the state of play in the crisis between Russia and Ukraine. It is apparently the work of James Miller and his crew at Dissected News.
  • Google Maps Gallery: CNET.com explains the purpose of Google Maps Gallery as a searchable gallery “full of interactive digital maps from a variety of businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations, such as National Geographic, World Bank Group, and the US Geological Survey.” 

If you’ve clicked on those links, it should be clear that your options for using Google Maps for features and hard news are practically limitless. Now get mapping!