The United States of America
Disclaimer:
This is a GENERIC USA map. For a more detailed explanation on certain areas or states, check out the USA map designed to get more in depth (Currently under construction).
Country Flag:
There are also 50 individual state flags to learn (Woohoo!). However, we will have a map for each individual state for those wanting to learn each state.
Google car:
Due to the USA being covered by all Generations of Cameras, you will only see a blue car when in Gen 4 coverage. This is limited and not always the case as well.
Bollard:
The USA doesn’t have a generic bollard, however there are countless examples of a reflector on guard rails across major highways. Some state may have something like a bollard (Check out Washington State).
Camera Generation:
ALL Camera Gens (If you get Gen 1, its either the USA or Australia!)
Road Lines:
The USA uses a yellow divider line and a white shoulder line. This yellow center will nearly always be a double yellow (Unlike Canada).
Road Signs:
There are hundreds of different signs in the USA. The most important one being the speed limit sign. This speed limit sign can save you from guessing Canada. There are multiple varieties, with the most common being shown above.
You can also see countless other examples of signs, with some of them being a yellow base sign with black text / imagery, others being a neon yellow, or even a white and black sign. The color seems to matter as to what will appear on the sign. You wont see a white and black pedestrian crossing for example. There is also nothing important about the back of the signs.
Then you get your highway signs. The Green signs will point to towns and destinations, while the blue sign will point to gas stations, hotels or places to eat.
Highways:
The USA uses multiple highway roads. You have the Interstate which travels between states. Odd numbered interstates generally travel from North to South, while Even numbers go East to West. Some notable Interstates are I95 (East coast from Miami Florida up to the Canada border at New Brunswick), I80 (Eastern New Jersey to San Francisco California), I5 goes from the Mexico border to the Canada border on the West Coast (California, Oregon and Washington State).
There are also the USA Route numbers (Not to be confused with individual state roads). Which look like a Shield. These roads almost imitate interstates.
State highways are mostly unique. The most common one of these is a circle sign. You can find this sign in Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi and New Jersey.
There are then Secondary highways, often used to supplement the state highways. Texas has a good example (as shown above).
There are then County Highways. Counties are small districts, not to be mistaken with the word Country.
Please note, there are varieties between states. These are the most common (Often called the Standard). The USA map will be more detailed with road signs.
License plates:
There are MORE THAN 50 unique plates on Street view. Some state have multiple varieties, but its worth knowing which states don’t have a Front license plate, as there are only 17 states that don’t require it!
For a more in depth look at how the license plates look, check out the USA map!
Phone number:
There are 335 area codes in the United States. There is NO difference between a mobile number or a landline. All phone numbers will be 10 digits, set up like (xxx) xxx – xxxx.
Vegetation/Landscape:
There are many differences, and its best to look towards the “General Look” section to get a good feel.
Domain:
.us
While this may be the domain for the USA, you will almost never see it. You’re more likely to see .com, .org, .net or .gov.
Architecture:
The USA has massive cities with large skyscrapers. These are pretty important as you wont find tall skyscrapers in Europe.
There are some building styles, but these can vary based on the builders preference.
These kind of houses are often found in the North East. Its often pretty obvious and feels “Rich”.
These houses, often called “Row Houses” are found in Suburbs outside of large cities. This example is taken from San Francisco. San Francisco is almost known for these houses.
We’ll get into more detail with architecture in the USA specific map.
General look:
This is the general feel of the North East. You get the fall coverage and the changing leaves up here.
This is the South East. You can see the sandy soil on the side of the road.
This is the Central North, and its rather flat and green. You can also find a surprising lack of trees.
This is the Central South, and its just as flat as the north. However, this area is a lot more dry than the north.
This is the North West, also called the Pacific North West. You will notice the mountains and the tall pines.
This is the South West, and looks much like the Central South. The only difference seems to be the hills/mountains that you see in the distance.
Unique Vehicle:
The USA uses a yellow school bus. You can find them often around town.
You can also find Postal trucks around. There are different varieties, but they all contain the same logo on the side / back. All post offices will also tell you the name of the town and give you a zip code. The zip code may not be useful for Geoguessr.
Alphabet/script:
The USA uses English, however you will find signs across the country with a multitude of different languages. You will find more Spanish in the south, and other diverse languages near major cities. For example, you can find Chinese signs in parts of Queens, NY.
Mexico
Country Flag:
States:
Mexico has 32 states. This is a map of them as well as their names.
Google car:
The google car in Mexico is a white vehicle, except when the coverage is Gen 4. It has a short stubby antenna. If its Gen 4, the car is blue.
Bollard:
This bollard is common in the south. All bollards tend to have the pattern of a white reflector on the top section and a black base.
This is an example of a bollard from the North. Notice the same color pattern.
Camera Generation:
Gen 2, 3 and 4
There is a chance to see Rifts in Mexico. If you do, it is Gen 3 coverage in the Oaxaca state 99% of the time.
Road Lines:
Mexico, like the rest of North America, uses a Yellow divider and white shoulder lines. The yellow divider will be a double line on major roads, and a single line on smaller roads.
A good thing to notice is that the white shoulder lines are dashed on most major highways in a passing zone. Outside of passing zones and side roads often use a solid white line.
Road Signs / Highway Signs:
Mexico uses Alto on their stop sign. This is super important and can be a really good deciding factor in Central and South America.
Mexico also uses a variety of colored signs like the USA, but the Green ones are the ones you want to look for.
Mexico also uses KM, which can help you figure out whether its Mexico or the South West USA.
Mexico uses the North American Yellow warning signs. They seem to have large “bolded” images on them.
This is the highway map of Mexico. It can be really useful to know where the numbers lead to (ex. Baja California having highway 1).
Traditional Clothing:
Mexico has a rich history. Pre-colonialism, it was a thriving empire. Even today, some of these indigenous people live on. They dress in a similar fashion to what would have been worn hundreds of years ago. Its possible to see people on street view wearing this traditional garb. Here’s an article to read about the different types of clothing and styles.
Traditional Dress
License plates:
License Plates are a problem in Mexico. There are 32 states, with each state having their own plate. They also update the plates with a new design every 4-5 years. That means, from Gen 2 coverage to modern day, there are over 100 license plate variations in Mexico.
Because of this, instead of being able to show you a picture of everything, its better to link you to a website that will show you the differences.
The picture above is just an example of one of the newer plates. It was eye catching and I hope it got you interested!
Mexico Plates 1
Mexico Plates 2
Mexico Plates 3
Mexico Plates 4
Mexico Plates 5
Phone number:
All phone numbers in Mexico consist of 10 digits. Introduced in 2018, a new plan exists. The FIRST digit will assign a region for the country.
The following numbers attribute to the regions.
2 – East
3 – West
4 – North
5 – Central
6 – Northwest
7 – South
8 – Northeast
9 – Southeast
Vegetation/Landscape:
Mexico boasts the highest number of pine and oak species in the world. Other notable trees include mahogany, zapote and ceiba (also known as pochote), the sacred tree of the Maya.
There are also a lot of Cacti, with this being a good sign you’re near or in Mexico.
Domain:
.mx
Beer Brewed Here:
Mexico has a host of beers. I feel the need to point out the fact that most of these companies are global. That being said, seeing some of these brands can help you choose a country.
Corona
Modelo
Dos Equis
You can typically find one of these beers painted on the walls of local bars or grocery stores.
General look:
Because of the size of Mexico, there are a few general feels. Above is the Yucatan Peninsula. Its pretty distinct from any other region. Its also one of the heaviest tourist destinations in Mexico (Cancun).
The South of Mexico generally has this sandy / dirt feel on the sides. You can see it near the grassy areas on the sides of this image.
The North of Mexico is basically a giant desert. That being said, there are parts that are less desert-y than others.
This is the Central Mexican feel. It feels like the South West USA but with some mountains and hills.
Architecture:
Alphabet/script:
Mexico uses a traditional Spanish alphabet.
Guatemala
Country Flag:
Google car:
Guatemala is very easy to recognize as it uses a car with a roof rack across the entire country.
Bollard:
Bollards do exist in Guatemala but they are extremely rare to find:
Camera Generation:
Gen 3
Road Lines:
Yellow line in the middle, white on the sides:
Road Signs:
Guatemala uses ALTO for stop signs:
If you are in a city, the street names usually look like this:
Another thing worth noting is most of the cities are grid type, with many one way roads. They are marked with “Una Via” (one way) or “Doble via” (two way):
Electricity poles:
Utility poles most of the time are painted with red on the bottom:
Sometimes you will also see a medium-sized utility pole, all painted green from top to bottom. Probably used for internet or TV lines:
License plates:
Guatemala uses small license plate sizes (15cmx30cm), so they don’t take the entire space of the car area:
Phone number:
In Guatemala, phone numbers are 8 digit. The first digit indicates the type of phone:
2 – Guatemala city
3/4/5 – Mobile
6 – Guatemala Department
7 – Rest of the country/rural
Vegetation/Landscape:
–
Specific tree:
–
Architecture:
–
General look:
In cities, it generally looks like this:
Alphabet/script:
Guatemala uses spanish alphabet.
Costa Rica
Country Flag:
Google car:
Costa Rica uses a Google Trekker and therefore doesnt have a car. However, you will still see the shadow of the individual.
Bollard:
Costa Rica doesn’t have a unique bollard, much like the USA.
Camera Generation:
Gen 3 Trekker
Road Lines:
–
Road Signs:
Costa Rica uses “Alto” instead of “Pare” on their stop signs.
Electricity poles:
–
License plates:
Phone number:
Any Number that starts with a 2 or 4 is a landline, while 5, 6, 7, and 8 are Mobile numbers. 3 is currently reserverd for mobile numbers, but not in use.
They all follow the same format of XXXX-XXXX.
There is also the chance to spot the Domain on many of the billboards that also house phone numbers.
Vegetation/Landscape:
–
Specific tree:
–
Architecture:
–
General look:
Due to Costa Rica having limited Coverage, there are few places that are covered. Most of it is in the capital city of San José. You are more likely to end up in a park or outside of the airport. There is also some coverage at the University of Costa Rica, some beaches along the west coast and the Palacio de los Deportes (Located in the town of Heredia).
The airport is pretty easy to recognize. You also have access to the main road in front of it.
The parks all feel the same, but its clear that it is a park. The paths feel like theyre designed for foot traffic.
You find these signs everywhere on the University of Costa Rica, and its clear when you are on the campus.
Alphabet/script:
Costa Rica uses your typical Spanish alphabet.