The world's most photographed cities

(Source: Cnet)

Google has released its list of the most photographed locations on Earth using data from geolocated images uploaded by individual users.The heat map generated by the search giant shows Earth's most photographed locales based on photos uploaded by users to the Google Maps Panoramio service that links images with locations in Google Maps and Google Earth.
 

New York City

New York City, however, ranks the most photographed town in the world. But you might be surprised to learn that the most popular place to take a photo in the Big Apple is the (admittedly striking) Guggenheim Museum. Sorry, Lady Liberty.


Rome

Rome is Panoramio's most photographed city in Europe and the second-most photographed place in the world. The place you're most likely to see people framing a perfect shot is the Trinita dei Monti, probably not the most famous Renaissance church in Italy, but it stands with a certain gravitas above the Piazza di Spagna Rome and popular "Spanish Steps," which also round out Rome's top three spots for shutterbugs.


 

Barcelona

Who can visit what many consider Spain's most elegant city without a camera? While it's worth noting Panoramio's origins as a Spanish startup might have helped two of the country's cities make the top 20, it's hard to deny the draw of Barcelona's Park Güell, a large garden complex designed by legendary architect and hometown hero Antoni Gaudi.


 

Paris

The only thing shocking about Paris making this list is perhaps that it ranks so low at No. 4 in the world. Apparently, Panoramio users feel they've seen enough shots of the Eiffel Tower already, or perhaps they're just more into the nightlife, which is why the legendary Moulin Rouge is the city's most photographed site.


Istanbul

When visiting Istanbul, there's a good chance you'll want to stand on the edge of the Strait of Bosphorus, where the European and Asian continents meet, and somehow document this watery continental divide. Fortunately, the historic Maiden's Tower sits on a small island at the southern entrance to the strait, only 220 yards from the Asian coast.


Venice

The famed gondolas of Venice don't stay in one place, but the bridges over the city's canals do, which is perhaps why Ponte dell'Accademia, a bridge over the Grand Canal, draws so many snapshots from Panoramio users.


Monte Carlo

James Bond fans will recognize the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, which has become synonymous with luxury and high rollers in its more than 150 years. Even kids may recognize the building from its cameo in the animated film "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted."


Florence

While Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo Square) is technically the spot where the most photographs are taken in Florence, it's really the city itself that is the most photographed site (and sight). The square offers an easy way to save a buck or two on postcards by providing an epic panorama of the city.


Buenos Aires

The Caminito is the most colorful street in La Boca, which is itself the most colorful section of Buenos Aires. Tourists flock here to feast on Argentine beef while watching a tango show. Locals descend on the surrounding area to support their celebrated soccer team, the La Boca Juniors. Both phenomena have led to a rainbow of colors being painted on most available structures and surfaces.


Budapest

No surprise here that when people visit Budapest, one of Europe's most historic cities, they tend to document one of its most grand structures, St. Stephen's Basilica, easily the most important church in Hungary.

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