Google Maps error sparks international conflict

[davo]

Did you do a double take on the title? seriously how bizarre!

http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/google-maps-error-sparks-international-conflict-20101108-17jl3.html

A Google Maps error is being blamed for Nicaraguan troops accidentally invading Costa Rica last week.
The troops have been accused of crossing the hotly disputed Nicaragua border into Costa Rica and setting up camp for the night after taking down a Costa Rican flag and raising the Nicaraguan flag.
But their commander, Eden Pastora, told Costa Rica's largest newspaper, La Nacion, that Google Maps was used to justify (http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.nacion.com/2010-11-04/ElPais/NotasSecundarias/ElPais2577867.aspx) the incursion. Nicaraguan government officials have also blamed a "bug in Google" for the error.


You would think the military would kinda know whether they were on their own soil or not ...

[Xeno]

Ask Google to remove all borders from its maps. One world. Next question? :p

[Fearless]

Ask Google to remove all borders from its maps. One world. Next question? :p
Or even out a fake waterway between conflicting territories to trick them into thinking there is no point walking in that direction or they'll drown. So many possibilities!

[GenericBox]

We have a Google bug/error at our house like that.

The street is called Hume Parade, type that into Google you get Hume Street, another suburb away.

Our street is on the same stretch of "road" as Currimundi road - there is literally no turn or break, it just turns from Currimundi road to Hume Parade for no reason. Except, we don't have a number for Currimundi Road and if you Google our number on Currimundi Road you are left quite a distance away (its a big road).

So finally, I use the map to just search for my house manually. Turns out, Google Maps has my place on a non-existent street called Westaway Parade, and our number isn't the same.

I live at 7 Hume, but Google says I am 11 Westaway.

Confusing as hell when you are trying to get a Taxi home -- "What's your address: Hume parade but your GPS won't show it so just go to Currimundi Road and I'll tell you when to stop" "I need an address" "Okay, well try Westaway Parade" "Never heard of it..." "Neither, but apparently its where we live."

[robertkd]

Ya don't think rebel countries use google maps for first strike missiles :eek: :rolleyes:

Crazy people,..

[GenericBox]

Appears it's been updated :D I stand corrected.

edit: lolz, but if you go to StreetView -- it says its 2 Currimundi Road.