Terrain Data Now Part Of Google's Base Maps

Google announced they have now made terrain and vegetation data as part of the base map view on Google Maps.

Here is a before and after view:

As you can see, the terrain, color gradations to depict vegetation, and labels for natural land formations are clearly there now.

Google added:

This enriched visual data allows you to quickly and easily see where the great forests, deserts, and mountain ranges around the world begin and end. It also conveys how natural land formations can impact where, how and why man-made developments like urban cities, dams and bridges are made.

Forum discussion at Google+.