title: Beginning Google Maps Applications with PHP and Ajax: From Novice to Professional
author:  Jeffrey Sambells 
description: <strong>Jeffrey Sambells</strong>?is a graphic designer and self-taught web applications developer best known for his unique ability to merge the visual world of graphics with the mental realm of code. With a bachelor of technology degree in graphic communications management along with a minor in multimedia, Jeffrey was originally trained for the traditional paper-and-ink printing industry, but he soon realized the world of pixels and code was where his ideas would prosper. In late 1999, he cofounded We-Create, Inc., an Internet software company based in Waterloo, Ontario, which began many long nights of challenging and creative innovation. Currently, as director of research and development for We-Create, Jeffrey is responsible for investigating new and emerging Internet technologies and integrating them using web standards-compliant methods. In late 2005, he also became a Zend Certified Engineer. When not playing at the office, Jeffrey enjoys a variety of hobbies from photography to woodworking. When the opportunity arises, he also enjoys floating in a canoe on the lakes of Algonquin Provincial Park or going on an adventurous, map-free, drive with his wife. Jeffrey also maintains a personal website at JeffreySambells.com, where he shares thoughts, ideas, and opinions about web technologies, photography, design, and more. He lives in Ontario, Canada, eh, with his wife, Stephanie, his daughter, Addison, and their little dog, Milo.
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  Google Maps 
  i 
   
  About the Tutorial 
  Google Maps is a free web mapping service by Google that provides various types of 
  geographical information. Google Maps has a JavaScript API to customize the maps and 
  display them on your webpage. This tutorial is about Google Maps API (Application 
  Programming Interface). It explains how you can integrate Google Maps on your webpage. 
  Audience 
  This tutorial is meant for all those readers who would like to learn about Google Maps API. 
  After completing this tutorial, you would be able to integrate Google Maps JavaScript API 
  on your webpage. 
  Prerequisites 
  Before proceeding with this tutorial, you should be familiar with JavaScript and the 
  concepts of object-oriented programming. You should also be familiar with Google Maps 
  from a user's point of view. 
  Execute Google Maps Online 
  For most of the examples given in this tutorial, you will find a Try it option, so just make 
  use of this option to execute your Google Maps programs on the