Google Earth launches in seven new languages including Arabic

'Arab users represent only three percent of the internet users worldwide,' says Sherif Iskander, Regional Manager, Google Middle East and North Africa.

'The content available on the web in Arabic is not proportionate to the Arab population or to the current and future expectations from the Arab area. This product will help stimulate growth of Arabic content as it provides a useful educational, commercial and personal tool and a unique way of looking at geographical information.'

This multi-language launch of Google Earth aims to provide users with new tools for searching and creating geographic content in their native language, highlighting Google's commitment to facilitating access of internet services to non-English speakers.

Google Earth is a powerful and flexible platform for organizing and sharing geographic information. Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps, and 3D content to create a virtual atlas for exploration and discovery. Additionally users can create layers for this virtual atlas illustrating their favourite restaurants, hiking routes, or travels abroad. Information shared on Google Earth is accessible through search and reflects the opinions and contributions of the person who created it, just like traditional web search.

For Arabic speaking users, this launch will give them the opportunity to explore a wealth of information within its geographical context in Arabic. Whether looking for local information, exploring a holiday destination, or researching the location of a new home or apartment, Google Earth puts the world at user's finger tips.

'Google Earth enables users to explore and connect with our planet in a profoundly new way,' said John Hanke, director, Google Earth and Google Maps. 'We're focused on enabling more users to experience Google Earth in their native language so that they can better understand the world around us.'

This latest release enables a wider number of web developers and users to create and explore points of interest around the globe, furthering the concept of a geographically organized web. Google Earth searches will show not only Google's location-related results, but community generated content such as location photographs, 3D building models, and more.

There have been over 200 million unique of downloads Google Earth.