Google doesn’t map things. They take existing maps and then overlay the satellite images. Most likely Indonesia has more detailed Maos of the area than the Papuan side
How do they convert it into a vector rendering though? I’m assuming they start with topo maps?
I assume they take digital maps when possible. Most countries will have digital maps of their territories, be it for military use or research or other. And many companies do to. Digital car navigation existed before google maps and logistics companies for sure had digital maps as well.
For some parts I am pretty sure they just scan paper maps and convert it by hand.
Of course all of that is some sort of “maping”. My previous comment was slightly clickbaity. But the process is still, Maps first, satellite later and not the other way round.
Casual little reminder for people unfamiliar with this side of the world, that Indonesia has been engaged in a genocidal invasion of the Papuans for decades now.
Genuinely didn’t know this! Ty for the information :) I’m gonna read up on that now
In the interest of assisting your search, I believe this is in reference to the Papua conflict between Indonesia and the Free Papua Movement, rather than Indonesia invading the country of Papua New Guinea. So other than spillover, it is happening to the west of the border rather than across it
This is a fairly upstream part of the river, and when it crosses back over into Papua New Guinea further downstream they have mapped it more thoroughly. Open Street Maps and the UK’s Ordnance Survey both have a fuller depiction of this part of the river
Fun fact: Google has to decide what territory belongs to who, even if countries disagree on it. Example: Taiwan
No they don’t. They show one version to one side and another version to the other side.
oh sorry that’s what I meant 😅
Learned it from someone on discord at like 3am
Either that or there is a gigantic dam at the border
