How Do I Configure Google Maps Data to Show the Location of My Event?

[Admin_01]

Chiriqui.Life (CL) has many "nice-to-have" features built into it. One of them is to show the location of an event that has been posted on CL's calendar, using the Google Maps geographical map panel within an event.

Because Panama is not as well documented as many other regions of the world, use of the Google Maps is at times difficult to configure properly. The purpose of this Q&A is to document what the more popular location configuration parameters are for various places in the Chiriquí highlands.

As an aside, one of the things that the CL staff has been doing over the past several months is to edit the Google Maps application database so that more of the Boquete area locations are configured in its database. Anyone is free to do that, but it can be somewhat daunting to sign up, sign in, and then do it. But if you are so motivated, we would encourage you to do so.

Please take note: it doesn't matter what the "official name" of an entity might be, nor what you think the address might be; the important concept here is that Google Maps is controlled by Google, and Google decides how things are called, or what their address might be. What is provided below is what works with Google Maps. If you do not agree with their names or the associated location data, then it is incumbent upon you to take the matter up with Google. We've tried, and failed repeatedly.

What follows in the replies to this question in our Q&A forum are the correct parameters to enter for the Google Maps data fields while posting (or editing) an event on the CL calendar. These replies will be added as new locations become configured by Google Maps. CL members can also add replies with these configuration parameters in case we have overlooked something of importance.

Note that Google Maps software is very sophisticated. It tries to be intelligent about the names and obvious variants of names, and has an ability to learn (the so-called artificial intelligence thing). Do not be surprised if you find that you are successful in using configuration data other than as outlined below.

Note that in all cases that the ZIP/Postal Code field is blank. If you input anything in the ZIP/Postal Code field, then it is highly likely that your Google Maps display will be a world map, indicating a failed configuration.

[Admin_01]

BCP Theater and Event Center or BCP Theater & Event Center

(There are two variants that work properly for this venue, the difference being the word "and" and the ampersand symbol "&". Even though most people believe "BCP Event Center" is the only correct name for this facility, it is Google's position that the only acceptable name is as shown in the first line of this posting; the word "theater" must be included in the name field.)

  

[Admin_01]

Amigos de Animales de Boquete

[Admin_01]

Fundación Pro-Integración (i.e., the Handicapped Foundation)

NOTE: You must use the spelling of this organization exactly as shown in the bold text above, including the accented letter "ó" in both words, and the hyphen. On Windows machines you may use the character set ALT+0243 (meaning holding down the ALT key while typing the numbers 0 2 4 3, then releasing the ALT key) to enter an accented letter ó.

[Admin_01]

Big Daddy's Grill

[Admin_01]

Hacienda Los Molinos Boutique Hotel

[Admin_01]

Chiriqui Storage

[Admin_01]

Lucero Golf & Country Club

Note: Seasons Restaurant has its own specific data. See below for the Seasons entry.

[Admin_01]

Biblioteca de Boquete

 

[Admin_01]

Haven Hotel and Spa

[Admin_01]

The Rock

[Admin_01]

Plaza San Francisco

[Admin_01]

Restaurante Sabor Escondido

 

Valle Escondido

[Admin_01]

Mike's Global Grill

[Admin_01]

Seasons Restaurant

Note: this entry is specifically for Seasons Restaurant, which is separate from the entry for Lucero Golf and Country Club (see above). To add the additional line for the "Carretera La Estrella" part of the address, simply click on the "+" sign to the right of these fields.

[Admin_01]

Hotel Finca Lérida Coffee Plantation and Finca Lérida

Note: Google Maps has two entries for what is commonly referred to as "Fiinca Lérida". One is for the restaurant and one for the lodging. Either one of these will normally be sufficient for location data, however, the vast majority of people think of Finca Lérida as meaning the "Hotel Finca Lérida Coffee Plantation" because that is where the restaurant is located.

If in doubt, we recommend that you use the Hotel Finca Lérida Coffee Plantation entry.

  

 

[Admin_01]

Féria de Las Flores y el Café

[Admin_01]

Skateworld of Boquete

[Admin_01]

Gimnasio (Stadium) in Los Naranjos

[Admin_01]

Hotel El Oasis and Oasis Restaurant

These two entries point to the same place, but you may prefer one over the other based on where in the hotel you wish to focus attention.

  

[Admin_01]

Ralph Dessau Butterfly House

[Admin_01]

Restaurante Mar de Grau

Note: either version shown here will work properly.

  

 

[Admin_01]

Jardin Encantado Estate

 

[Admin_01]

Bethel Christian Church

(also known as Evangelica Church Villa Betel)

[Admin_01]

Romero Super Market

Either variant will work correctly.

 

[Admin_01]

Boquete's Parque Central (the actual name is Parque Domingo Médica).

Note, either variant will work properly.