Mystery behind uninhabited remote island photograph on #GoogleMaps Street View ...

google maps street view pacific ocean islandGoogle Maps Street View: Remote Pacific Ocean island captured - but why did Google snap it? (Image: Google Maps)

Google Maps is intended as a functional tool for users - which makes its decision to capture an uninhabited island rather baffling. Lisianski Island in the North Pacific Ocean is a place people will most likely never visit. So what’s the reason behind Google Maps’ decision? And how did they go about mapping the island? The Hawaiian island measures only a half-mile square and is 40 feet above sea level.

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Google Maps Street View: Remote Pacific Ocean island captured - but why did Google snap it?

It’s over 1,600km away from the nearest major landmass - and is almost indistinguishable on Google Maps unless you know what to look for.

Lisianski Island is inhabited only by rare birds - but on Google can be explored from ground level in amazing high definition by any human with internet access.

Viewers can virtually stroll the sandy shoreline - blue sea to one side and greenery the other, as birds twirl in the sky above or hop along the sand.

The reason behind Google’s move to capture the island is, in fact, part of its drive to photograph remote places.

Most Street View imagery is captured by a car, but of course, this wasn’t possible on Lisianski Island.

Instead two US government agencies - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the US Fish & Wildlife Service - sent staff to map it on foot.

google maps street view pacific ocean islandGoogle Maps Street View: Lisianski Island s almost indistinguishable on Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)

The employees donned the Street View Trekker and mapped the island in person.

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