Borders, or boundaries, are shown in different ways in Google Earth. The lines are drawn based on the status of the border.
International boundaries
Solid gray lines show undisputed international boundaries, like the one between the United States and Canada.
Temporary boundaries
Dotted lines show treaty and provisional boundaries, which are temporary.
- Treaty boundary: A boundary set in a treaty or similar agreement, but not finalized by law.
- De facto boundary: A boundary not set by a treaty or similar agreement, but also not disputed by any party involved.
Disputed boundaries
Dashed gray lines show disputed boundaries. This means the parties involved don't agree on a boundary.
State or province borders
Thin, light-gray dotted lines inside a country show state and province borders, like the boundary of New Jersey or Alberta.
Country & region names
Country names, like Germany or Japan, are written on the map. Google Earth automatically shows place names in the same language as your browser or device.
Learn how to change the language of Google Earth.