Chapter 1. A Quick Tour

After reading this chapter, you’ll be able to do the following:

Give a simple definition of KML in layman’s terms. List four possible use cases for a KML presentation. Search for KML files on the web on a topic that interests you, and then view them with an Earth browser. Create a simple KML file and share it with your friends.

KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is an XML data format used to display information in a geographic context. Just as web browsers read and display HTML files, Earth browsers such as Google Earth read and display KML files. KML is a human-readable language composed of text and punctuation. It can be created and edited with a basic text editor, saved, and then viewed in an Earth browser. You don’t need to be a technical wizard to master the basics of KML, and you’ll find that this knowledge will enable you to create powerful presentations that paint your own geographic data and imagery over the global palette provided by many popular (and free) Earth browsers.