Google expands StreetView in the EU, including 200 new Russian cities

Google today announced that it had expanded its European Street View imagery in what is says is a bid to make it “easier than ever” to explore Europe.

For the first time people will be able to see images of imagery of Bulgaria, Europe’s 14th largest country.

Perhaps the most impactful part of the update though comes from the fact that people using Street View now have access to panoramas of almost 200 new towns and cities in Russia. Search in the BRIC giant is dominated by local company Yandex, so an extensive Street View presence sends a very clear message that Google isn’t done fighting for a bigger slice of the Russian pie.

According to Russia, you can now get familiar with Sochi, the venue for the 2014 Winter Olympics, or learn more about Buddhist culture by visiting the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni, the largest Buddhist temple in the Republic of Kalmykia.

The update also includes refreshed images for the UK for major cities like London, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff. Google says however that it’s also tried to plug some of the gaps in its UK Street View coverage.

For example, it’s added brand new images to parts of the Scottish coastline, in pockets of East Anglia and parts of South Wales.