Given a latitude/longitude, how can I get the name of the place at that location using Google Map's JS API?

The Geocoder.geocode(..) seems to be the way to go, but am not sure what's the best way to get the exact location name out of the API results.

Given a latitude/longitude, how can I get the name of the place at that location using Google Map's JS API?

The Geocoder.geocode(..) seems to be the way to go, but am not sure what's the best way to get the exact location name out of the API results.

• javascript
• google-maps
• geolocation

• maybe this helps? stackoverflow.com/questions/2296377/… – Philipp Kyeck Commented Dec 3, 2011 at 8:57
• It's called reverse geocoding. what exactly are you asking? what is the specific problem? google api for this is quite simple. so be more specific. what have you already tried? – alonisser Commented Dec 3, 2011 at 8:59
• Not sure what other specifics are needed, but perhaps the recent edit in the post should help – Saket Commented Dec 3, 2011 at 9:02

3 Answers 3

Use the Geocoding API for mapping locations to addresses and addresses to locations. http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/javascript/services.html#Geocoding

Geocoder.geocode( { 'latLng': latLngObject }, callback);

The callback receives results and status.

The results are pretty accurate, but you'll have to rely on approximations nevertheless, as the user location can rarely be measured exactly.

Reverse geocode is the term you are looking for:

http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/javascript/examples/geocoding-reverse.html

Example:

http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/javascript/services.html#ReverseGeocoding

http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json?latlng=40.714224,-73.961452&sensor=true

is the API call. MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS NO SPACE IN THE latlng PARAMETER