On 8 February 2005, Google Maps was brought into our lives after being co-founded by Stephen Ma and Noel Gordon in a Sydney apartment.
Initially naming themselves Where 2 Technologies, it has been disclosed that US$66 million was laid out in a combination of chas, future performance bonuses, shares and options for four small acquisitions, including Where 2.
Adjusting for stock splits in 2004, when Where 2 was acquired, Alphabet shares were worth around US$2 and at the time of writing, are trading at $187.07.
Google Maps now lists 250 million businesses and places, has over 500 million users who contribute information, like reviews and 100 million updates are made every day.
To celebrate the milestone, Google has published a list of the top 20 most discovered places in Australia in different categories.
The place with the most reviews and a 4.64 average rating is the “Most-reviewed visitor attraction”, Darling Habour in Sydney with over 58,000 reviews.
Australia’s “Most-reviewed park”, WA's Kings Park and Botanic Garden earned itself a 4.79 star rating with over 26,000 reviews.
The most reviewed places of other categories include:
- Most reviewed Indian restaurant: Dosa Hut Indian Restaurant, Harris Park, NSW (14.K reviews, 4.61 stars).
- Most-reviewed cafe: Andonis Cafe & Bar, Yeerongpilly, NSW (8.2K reviews, 4.68 stars)
- Most reviewed fish and chips shop: Charis Seafoods, Labrador, QLD (5.1K reviews, 4.05 stars)
- Most-reviewed ice cream shop: Cow & The Moon, Enmore, NSW (3.4K reviews, 4.6 stars)
- Most-reviewed thrift shop: Savers, Brunswick, VIC (1.5K reviews, 4.27 stars)
- Most reviewed vintage clothing shop: Retropolis, Preston, VIC (433 reviews, 4.55 stars)
- Most-reviewed recycling centre: Metal Biz Recyclers, Rocklea, QLD (348 reviews, 4.78 stars)
