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Hi.

This is a list of Portuguese locations that have been intentionally ( or not ) blurred on Google Earth. I've tried to compare the same locations on other free map services. My findings are listed below.

First article (afaik) that pointed for this strange behaviour was published here by Tibério Dinis. Many thanks to Agante Ferreira for further updates.

My personal opinion is that there is nothing to hide on those places. Apart of Lajes ( in Azores ) where there are some strong claims regarding illegal CIA activities, the rest is just normal infrastructures. Just to compare you can easily zoom in on the place where we operate our F-16's, see some critical facilities ( dams, airports, bridges, oil refineries and communications ) or even where we produce and store EUR currency.

Last update: 13 August, 2008

List of locations:

Lajes, Azores


© Google 		Portuguese Air Force facility, used by the United States Air Force and others, strategically located near Lajes on Terceira Island in the Azores. More details can be read here. No service can show this location in detail.

screenshot | google maps | live maps | yahoo maps

Alfeite, Almada


© Google 		Main navy base where the portuguese fleet can be found. Maintenance facilities for submarines and ships. Also a navy school. The image shows blurred parts of Laranjeiro, a suburb area of Lisbon. Only Google does not show this location properly.

screenshot | google maps | live maps | yahoo maps

Montijo, Setúbal


© Google 		Portuguese air force base 6, used for surveillance, search and rescue missions. Also for VIP transportation and NATO storage area. Only Google does not show this location in detail.

screenshot | google maps | live maps | yahoo maps

Oeiras, Lisbon


© Google 		NATO Allied Joint Command Lisbon, located nearby the Portuguese Minister of Defense's Office. More details about it here. Only Google cannot show this location properly.

screenshot | google maps | live maps | yahoo maps

Fernão Ferro, Setúbal


© Google 		NATO military installations ( probably ammo storage area ). Only Google cannot show this location properly.

screenshot | google maps | live maps | yahoo maps

Aroeira, Setúbal


© Google 		Navy Communications Center, nearby Aroeira Golf complex. It seems to be partially visible ( actually the centre is located south to this position! ). Only Google cannot show this location properly.

screenshot | google maps | live maps | yahoo maps

Belém, Lisboa


© Google 		Defense Ministry Offices in Lisbon. Only Google cannot show this location properly.

screenshot | google maps | live maps | yahoo maps
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Contact:

You can reach me at nbk@cyberdude.com.
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