# Google Maps Platform

**Provider:** Google
**Category:** maps
**Base URL:** `https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api`
**Auth:** api-key — `?key=AIzaSy...`
**Rate Limit:** 3,000 requests/min (geocoding)
**Free Tier:** Yes — [object Object]
**Pricing:** from $5/mo (pay-as-you-go)
**Docs:** https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation

## Description

Google Maps Platform is the industry-standard mapping API suite. Geocode addresses to coordinates, reverse-geocode coordinates to addresses, calculate routes and ETAs between locations, search for nearby places, render interactive maps, and retrieve street-level imagery.

## Endpoints

| Method | Endpoint | Description |
|--------|----------|-------------|
| GET | `https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json` | Forward or reverse geocode an address |
| GET | `https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/directions/json` | Get turn-by-turn directions |
| GET | `https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/distancematrix/json` | Travel time and distance matrix |
| GET | `https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/place/nearbysearch/json` | Search for nearby places |
| GET | `https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/place/details/json` | Get details for a specific place |
| GET | `https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap` | Render a static map image |
| GET | `https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/elevation/json` | Get elevation data for locations |

## Authentication

Append your API key as a key query parameter in every request.

```
?key=AIzaSy...
```

## Sample Request

```bash
curl "https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json?address=1600+Amphitheatre+Parkway,+Mountain+View,+CA&key=$GOOGLE_MAPS_KEY"
```

## Sample Response

```json
{
  "results": [{
    "formatted_address": "1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA",
    "geometry": {
      "location": {"lat": 37.4224764, "lng": -122.0842499}
    },
    "place_id": "ChIJ2eUgeAK6j4ARbn5u_wAGqWA"
  }],
  "status": "OK"
}
```

## Pricing Details

Geocoding: $5/1K. Directions: $10/1K. Places Search: $17/1K. Maps Static: $2/1K. Distance Matrix: $5/1K elements.

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*Source: [API Map](https://apimap.dev/apis/google-maps/) — CC BY 4.0*