Ever stumbled upon a file ending in .kml and wondered what secrets it held? KML, or Keyhole Markup Language, is a powerful file format used to display geographic data in applications like Google Earth and Google Maps. Think of it as a digital breadcrumb trail for maps!
Essentially, a KML file is a text-based file (you can open it with a text editor!) containing geographical information – think placemarks, polygons (outlines of areas), images, and even models. It tells Google Earth (or other compatible software) exactly where and how to display these elements on the globe.
Why is this useful? KML files are fantastic for sharing location-based information. From marking your favorite hiking trails to outlining city boundaries or even visualizing the spread of wildfires, the possibilities are endless. Many organizations use KML to distribute location-based data to the public.
So, the next time you see a .kml file, don't be intimidated! Now you know it's just a map waiting to be explored.
