An Islamic Google Earth?

The U.K. Guardian newspaper recently reported that Iran’s minister for communication and technology announced that their country will release an Islamic version of Google Earth by August 2013. Iran has long maintained that Google Earth is a tool of western spy agencies. The concept of an Islamic Google Earth contrasts with the common view of maps and earth imagery as neutral, objective, and scientific representations of the earth. Certainly most maps strive for a truthful depiction of reality and only a few shade into propaganda. Still, all maps are shaped by the conscious and subconscious choices of the cartographer. Maps have political implications and reflect the social position, cultural biases, and power relations of their maker.