Summary

  • Google Earth has a number of blacked-out regions, including government buildings and military bases, for security and privacy reasons.
  • Some of the blacked-out spots on Google Maps include the Palace Huis Ten in the Netherlands, Reims Airbase in France, and Junction Ranch in California.
  • There are various theories surrounding the blacked-out locations, such as suspected airfields, suspicious phenomena, and alleged military operations.

The advancement of technology has truly given us the ability to do just about anything and everything we want to. In addition to maneuvering your everyday life online, one also has the freedom to view the world without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home.

Google Earth has allowed users to view just about anywhere in the world, all from a screen. If you've ever been fascinated with how the Taj Mahal looks, the Eiffel Tower, or even your own house, Google Earth has got you covered. Google Earth even has some of the strangest things that can leave anyone amazed. Same way, there are many weirdest things found on Google Maps. Strange, isn't it?

While the task itself is quite straightforward, you might be surprised to find out that you can't view whatever you want. Google Maps has a number of blurred-out regions across the globe, from energy centers to government buildings and military bases. Similarly, there are numerous Google Earth black zones that pique everyone's interest!

With all that being said, here are 19 spots on Google Maps that have been completely blacked out.

UPDATE: 2023/09/27 05:36 EST BY REENA JAIN

More Places Google Maps Have Blacked Out

Many locations on Google Maps are off-limits to peeking, whether out of concern for security or out of general paranoia. This list has been updated with two more places that have blacked-out sections on Google Maps, as well as new photos.

Related: How (And Why) You Should Be Using Google Maps To Plan A Road Trip

19 Palace Huis Ten, The Netherlands

Palace Huis Ten, The Netherlands
Ben BenderCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Palace Huis Ten, The Netherlands

Palace Huis Ten in the Netherlands is another of the blacked-out places on Google Maps. The palace appears entirely out of focus, but the nearby woods and natural surroundings are visible. It is the royal house of the Netherlands and maybe blurred because of safety and privacy reasons.

  • Location: s-Gravenhaagse Bos 10, 2594 BD The Hague
  • Why Blurred Out: Security and Privacy Reasons

18 Reims Airbase, France

Reims Airbase, France
Eric SalardCC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Reims Airbase, France

It seems that air bases frequently disappear from Google Maps; here is yet another Air Force base to be added to the list. For reasons of national security, it might be disguised to avoid security hazards or unauthorized access.

  • Location: Bétheny, France
  • Why Blurred Out: National Security Reasons

17 Junction Ranch, California

Mohave Desert, CA
TheschmallfellaCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mohave Desert, CA, USA

In the heart of California's Mojave Desert sits Junction Ranch. While the Mojave Desert is known to be the hottest desert in the United States, it has abundant things to experience. A mystery airfield is located there. Some others think it's a piece of the China Lake proving grounds where the Air Force tests drones. It is strange that just some of the base is hidden from Google Maps. There are purposefully scratched-out portions of buildings when people zoom in on the base's location. What is occurring there?

  • Location: Mojave Desert, CA, USA
  • Why Blurred Out: Suspected Airfield

16 Kangtega, Nepal

Kangtega, Nepal
Goutam1962CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kangtega, Nepal

On Google Maps, this enigmatic region of the Himalayan Mountains is totally obscured. It's doubtful that people will ever fully understand why it is banned, despite the fact that theories include everything from a military installation to Nazi UFOs. The only way to discover this blacked-out place is to trek the entire 22,000 feet (6705.6 meters), as the peak is one of the best trekking destinations in Nepal.

  • Location: Sagamatha, Nepal
  • Why Blurred Out: Suspicious phenomena in this area

15 Michael AAF Building, Utah - Hidden Secrets

Michael AAF, Utah
United States Geological Survey (USGS), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Michael AAF, Utah

The Michael Aaf Building in Tooele County, Utah, is one of the many spots that are completely censored on Google Earth. It turns out this building is a military airport owned by the United States Army, making it quite secretive. Many reports claim that loads of confidential information are kept here, making it a clear reason behind its censorship.

  • Location: Dugway Proving Ground · Tooele County, Utah · United States
  • Why Blurred Out: Security Reasons

Related: These Google Maps Reviews Are Hilarious (But Helpful To No One)

14 Colonel Sander Signs - No Faces Allowed

Colonel Sander Signboards
Brent Moore from Smyrna, TN, USACC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
KFC Colonel Sander Signboards

While this one might come as a surprise, there are absolutely no KFC signs or billboards featuring Colonel Sanders on it that are visible via Google Earth. If you are familiar with Google Earth, then you know that a human face is never allowed under any circumstances, hence the reasoning behind this silly yet understandable censorship.

  • Why Blurred Out: Privacy Reasons

13 Babylon, Iraq - Military Secrets

Babylon, Iraq
Aziz1005CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Babylon, Iraq during the day

Babylon, Iraq, is one of the most important ancient cities ever known, but it is also another region of the world that is completely censored on Google. Not only is the exact reason still undetermined but there have been a number of theories surrounding why nobody can view this location. There have been countless claims that this area is an alleged "radar or missile interception system."

  • Location: 50 miles south of Baghdad along the Euphrates River, Iraq
  • Why Blurred Out: Suspected military operations

12 North Korea - Is Anyone Allowed To See It?

North Korea on the map
enCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
North Korea on the map

This one should not come as a surprise! North Korea remains one of the most secretive countries in the world and one that is extremely hard to get into, so it only makes sense that Google Earth blurs major parts of the country. Nevertheless, many have speculated on the reason behind the censorship and whether North Korea is hiding something.

  • Why Blurred Out: Kim Jong Un's Rules

11 The Royal Palace, Amsterdam - Royal Family Protocols

National Tulip Day at Dam Square with the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Shutterstock
National Tulip Day at Dam Square with the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is located in none other than Amsterdam! While this stunning building hosts the Royal Family, many wonder why they cannot view it from their phones or computers. Well, due to Royal protocol, aerial views of the Palace and its surrounding land are off-limits online to keep everyone as safe as possible.

  • Location: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147, 1012 RB Amsterdam
  • Why Blurred Out: Because of royal protocols

Related: 15 Things Spotted On Google Maps (That Remain Unexplained)

10 Minami Torishima Airport, Japan - Is It Really Just An Airport?

Aerial View of Minamitori Island
Chief Master Sergeant Don Sutherland, U.S. Air Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Aerial View of Minamitori Island, Japan

The Minami Torishima Airport is located on quite a small island off the coast of Japan. Despite it simply appearing as a small landing strip for airplanes, many wonder if it is more than just an airport. The only aerial shots of the region have been taken by photographers in a plane. However, if you give the island a look on Google Maps, you won't be able to see much.

  • Location: Shizuoka, Japan
  • Why Blurred Out: Not Known

9 Keowee Dam, South Carolina - But, It's Just Water!

Keowee Lake, South Carolina
Matthew T. Bradley from Berkshire County, Mass., USACC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Keowee Lake, South Carolina, USA

Next up on the list is Lake Keowee Dam, which is located in South Carolina. This one comes as a bit of a shock, considering it's just water. However, it appears something deeper is going on for it to be censored on Google Earth. While the reason behind the blurring has not yet been disclosed, it's been alleged that various energy-related areas and regions like to keep things to themselves.

  • Location: Oconee / Pickens counties, South Carolina, United States
  • Why Blurred Out: Not known

8 Baker Lake, Nunavut - Creepy Stories

Baker Lake, Nunavut
Paul Gierszewski (Gierszep)CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Baker Lake, Nunavut, Canada

While Canada is usually quite open, it appears this region is not! The censorship behind Baker Lake is still unknown, but many believe it has to do with a few creepy factors. For one, it is believed that this part of Canada is reportedly hiding extraterrestrial evidence, which might be a bit of a stretch. Unfortunately, there are many graves here, though.

  • Location: 3595 1st Ave, Baker Lake Nunavut X0C 0A4
  • Why Blurred Out: Believed to be hiding extraterrestrial evidence

7 Szazhalombatta Oil Refinery, Hungary - Conspiracy Theories

Szazhalombatta Oil Refinery, Pest
Vadas Róbert (Vadaro)CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Szazhalombatta Oil Refinery, Pest, Hungary

Next up is the Szazhalombatta Oil Refinery, which is located primarily in Hungary but also has locations in Bratislava and Slovakia. Much like other multinational oil and gas companies, this oil refinery is the most profitable in all of Europe, which makes the reason behind the Google Earth censor quite understandable.

  • Location: Szazhalombatta, Pest, Hungary
  • Why Blurred Out: For safety reasons

6 Volkel Air Base, Netherlands - Totally Off Limits

Volkel Air Base, Netherlands
Niels3004CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Volkel Air Base, Netherlands

When it comes to Google Earth, it appears they do not want anyone seeing the Volkel Air Base, which is located in the Netherlands. According to Atlas Obscura, this European airbase is censored due to the fact that it is one of the sites that host a "U.S. nuclear weapon repository," making it quite a confidential region.

  • Location: Zeelandsedijk 10D-921, 5408 SM Volkel
  • Why Blurred Out: For security reasons

5 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, California - What Are They Hiding?

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
wickedchimpCC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, California, USA

The Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is located in Salinas, California, and is yet another space that is blurred online. Despite this region coming across as a simple race car track, it looks like they are hosting more than some fast cars. The reason behind the censorship has yet to be discovered. However, many people speculate that this Mazda Raceway is up to something more than just racing cars.

  • Location: 1025 Monterey Salinas Hwy, Salinas, CA 93908
  • Why Blurred Out: Not Known

4 HAARP Site, Alaska - Even More Conspiracies

HAARP Site, Alaska
United States Federal Government, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
HAARP Site, Alaska, USA

The HAARP headquarters, which are located in Alaska, are also finding themselves in the hot seat when it comes to blurred regions on Google Earth. While the site has never released an official statement on the censorship, conspiracy theories have been swirling around, stating that the headquarters are home to government missile defenses, amongst other things.

  • Location: Gakona, Alaska, United States
  • Why Blurred Out: Security Reasons Plus Conspiracies

3 NATO Headquarters, Brussels - Very Classified

NATO HQ, Brussels
SwadimCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
NATO HQ, Brussels, Belgium

In addition to the countless number of major government headquarters across the globe, the Nato headquarters located in Brussels, Belgium, offers very low resolution and blurring over many areas of their base. While it is easy to assume NATO is keeping loads of government secrets, classified files, and or secretive military operations, no definite answer has been provided just yet.

  • Location: Boulevard Léopold III / Leopold III-laan, B-1110 Haren, Brussels, Belgium
  • Why Blurred Out: For Security Reasons

2 Elmira Correctional Facility, New York - If We Can't See It, They Can't Get Out

Elmira, New York
Jayu from Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Elmira, New York, USA

The Elmira Correctional Facility, which is also referred to as 'The Hills', is a maximum security state prison located in Chemung County, New York. The prison is completely run by the New York State Department of Corrections, and it looks like they run a very tight ship. The region is completely blurred on Google Earth.

  • Location: Elmira, New York
  • Why Blurred Out: For security reasons

1 Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, New York - The Public Wants It Shut Down

Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, New York
TonyCC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, New York, USA

Much like every other energy-related compound we've come across, the Indian Point Energy Center is finding itself on this list as well. Located in Buchana, New York, this energy center is not only blurred out but is doing more than what they disclose. There have been numerous rumors surrounding this center, much to do with the environment, which is why so many people want it shut down for good!

  • Location: Buchanan, Westchester County, New York State
  • Why Blurred Out: People want this facility to shut down