Navteq, the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world, has launched a full, navigable map for Egypt.

The company has also come out with a completely updated addressing system in Saudi Arabia.

Navteq accelerated its map building programme in Egypt when the government opened its policy regarding GPS mobile phones and navigation systems and now offers coverage of the country's entire road network of around 75,000 kilometres.

Stretching from the beautiful beaches and Mediterranean resorts of Alexandria and the North Coast to the Aswan Dam in the south, the map also includes over 75,000 Points of Interest (POIs). They cover not only the country's many cultural and tourist sites but also categories such as railway stations, petrol stations, restaurants and many more to help both visitors and residents get from A to B.

The map also features many attributes that support efficient, turn-by-turn navigation and driver orientation. This includes over 90 3D Landmarks of well-known locations in 14 key cities and tourist 'super sites' such as the Great Sphinx in Giza and the El Karnak Temple in Luxor.

Navteq understands the importance of incorporating country specific nuances into its maps and in Saudi Arabia has made significant changes to accommodate the kingdom's evolving address system. Traditionally, there has not been a home and street address structure with people depending on Post Box numbers to receive mail. As a result they have tended to use POIs rather than addresses to select a destination in a navigation system, therefore Navteq has increased the number of these familiar markers to nearly 150,000.

In addition, 'Point Addressing,' advanced content that further enhances destination arrival, has been added. This enables more accurate location of individual buildings and, in this case, has been based on the new Saudi Post addressing system which has assigned a unique grid number to every residential house and commercial or government building. Once people become familiar with the new Wasel addresses, they will be able to use them to select destinations in their navigation systems and be routed directly from door to door.

"Production of a map in such a key political and cultural centre as Egypt has been a priority for Navteq and we are committed to providing the necessary resources to advance and maintain it into the future," explained Frank Pauli, vice president Emea map and content products.
 
"This is, of course, part of a broader plan to expand our presence across the Middle East and Africa by adding coverage and advanced content. In addition to the work in Saudi Arabia, other recent developments include the first Navteq Discover Cities product in the Middle East with the completion of a pedestrian map of Dubai."-TradeArabia News Service