The mayor of a freezing fishing town in the north of Iceland has complained to Google Maps – because there is too much snow in their satellite pictures.
Jon Pall Hreinsson, Mayor of Bolungarvik in the north-western Icelandic peninsula of Westfjords, contacted Google Maps to ask for them to try and find satellite images with less snow.
The mayor of the small town with around 950 inhabitants, who experience around two hours of sunlight every day during the month of March, told Google that a more summery feel would benefit everyone.
He said: “I live in Bolungarvik, Iceland. In Google Maps, the view of Bolungarvik is taken when there is a lot of snow.”
He said this not only made it hard to see anything, but would also discourage tourists.
He said: “I wish you (Google Maps) could change it to summertime imagery. It would be more useful for everyone, both locals and visitors.”
Hreinsson also posted on social media: “I don’t know about you, but it really gets on my nerves that part of the Westfjords (including Bolungarvik) is covered with snow in Google’s map service.”
The frustrated mayor believes that the “millions who are now looking at the Westfjords as a destination” are being put off by Google Maps’ satellite pictures.
He added: “I know that there is snow in the Westfjords and this is often the reality, but places are just not shown like this in general.”
As an example he referenced images he had found of normally snow-covered regions in Norway that were not shown with snow on Google maps.
He wrote: “if it’s possible to show Hammerfest (in Norway) in its finest green, then it’s also possible here!”
The temperatures in Bolungarvik are below freezing for half of the year and for the rest of the year never climb into double figures. Even at the height of summer it has an average temperatures of between 7 and 9 degrees Celsius.
Google Maps have not yet replied to Central European News’ (CEN’s) request for a comment.
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Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
