Two Neat Google Map Programs

MAPfrappe http://mapfrappe.com/ an interactive map that allows you to outline one part of the world and overlay it on another part.  It is fun program to mess around with and can allow students to compare landmasses, cities, countries, mountain ranges, whatever.  

Additionally it also offers the opportunity to discuss map distortion and the different types of projections since your outline will adjust its size in different parts of the world (the page's author discusses this issue in the "notes" section of the website).  

Gmaps Pedometer http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ is also a useful tool for mapping walking distance.  Upon first sight, I instantly thought this would be neat to use when discussing the European explorers during the Age of Exploration and to chart the path walked by De Soto's men for example.  Or one could chart the journey of the escaped Siberian prisoners from the book (and soon to be movie) The Long Walk Home.