Displaying points on interest in Google earth Pro, 13 October 2018

I have been exploring a bit in recent weeks how to use Google Earth Pro to display points relevant for cruising in the Baltic. I managed to extract my tracks from my Furuno TZT2 chart plotter, in files with a .CSV extension, that can be imported easily in Google Earth. 

Then, I collided several lists of points of relevance for cruising in Sweden: marinas, natural harbours, marine gas stations, Svenska Krysar Klubb buoys, and even churches with fresco, castles or stone ships. Here is what I learned through the process...

Data format

The file formats KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is the basic format to display features in Google Earth. It uses an XML language that can be edited in any text editor. The reference of the language can be accessed here. It will only contain standard features, without user defined additions e.g. customised icons or pictures.

The file format KMZ is a zip file that includes a KML file along with any other file defined by the file producer, such as a customised icon) in a "files" directory in the archive. Change the extension to .ZIP if you wan to explore the content of the KMZ file or edit the KML file inside.

Marinas and natural harbour of Sweden Baltic

I have compiled in these files all the marinas and natural harbours that I could find on electronic charts (Garmin, Navionics, På Sjön, C map) and on pilot books. The anchor icon represents a natural harbour and the sailing boat icon a marina. The list is far from complete! Let me know of any missing nice spots.

Here is the KMZ file!

Light houses of Sweden

I used the wikipedia page listing the lighthouses in Sweden and the Swedish lighthouse association (Svenska Fyrsällskapet).

Here is the KMZ file!

Svenska kryssarklubben buoys

Here is the KMZ file!

Churches with fresco

The source of the data I used to compile this files is the "List of church frescos in Sweden" in Wikipedia, the set of the "Stockholm archipelago", the "Svenska kyrka" and the "Albertus Pictor" site on Wikipedia. Despite these extensive sources, the list is not complete...

Click on the file with the extension (and format) you want. Only the KMZ file will contain the customised icons as displayed on the picture above. In addition, the KMZ file contains a sub directory specific for the churches painted by Albertus Pictor.

Here are the files: Churches.kml, Churches.kmz, Churches.csv, Churches.gpx

Castles

Here is the KMZ file!

Stone ships

Here is the KMZ file!

Bridges and power lines clearance

Map of Swedish castles

Resources

On-line nautical charts

• Navionics 
• På Sjön 
• C map

Reference for file formats:

• Reference for tags in .GPX files
• Reference for tags in KML files

Data format converters:

• Free converter KML to GPX
• Free converter GPX to KML
• Full converter including multiple formats. Limited free amount of conversion monthly.

Icons that I use:

Clearance

No power line clearance

Opening bridge

No bridge clearance

Museum/Point of interest

Churches

Stoneships

SXK harbour

SXK buoys

Lighthouse

Castle

Statue

System Bolaget

Alko shops in Finland