Google has just announced the launching of Google Maps Gallery, a new way for organizations to share and publish their maps online via Google Maps Engine.

One interesting map that caught our eye is Lands of the Bible 1967 Map (© National Geographic Society), which is transparently overlayed on top of a map of the current Middle East.

This unique map was created in 1967 for the National Geographic Magazine and has been reprinted in its original format. Filled with reference information, the map includes insets of: The Holy Land, Walled city of Jerusalem, Traditional route of the Exodus, St. Paul’s four great journeys, and The Crusades.

Click to enlarge map to full screen and activate interactivity.

When you zoom in on the map, you’ll notice such annotations as

• “Beer Sheva: Southern limit of Old Testament Palestine (Judges 20:1). Isaac pitched his tent here and his servants dug a well (Genesis 26:23-25). A modern industrial center today.”
• “Caesarea: Built by Herod. Headquarters of Pontius Pilate, who visited Jerusalem during major festivals to quell disorders.”
• “Antioch: Scene of St. Paul’s first ministry, the third largest city of the Roman Empire, outranked only by Rome and Alexandria. Term ‘Christian’ first used here.”

You can also type specific locations into the map for direct searches. Try it and enjoy.