Getting to Know Google Earth                  http://earth.google.com/userguide/v4/

The following diagram describes some of the features available in the main window of Google Earth:

1. Search panel - Use this to find places and directions and manage search results. Google Earth EC may display additional tabs here.
2. Overview map - Use this for an additional perspective of the Earth.
3. Hide/Show sidebar - Click this to conceal or the display the side bar (Search, Places and Layers panels).
4. Placemark - Click this to add a placemark for a location.
5. Polygon - Click this to add a polygon.
6. Path - Click this to add a path (line or lines).
7. Image Overlay - Click this to add an image overlay on the Earth.
8. Measure - Click this to measure a distance or area size.
9. Email - Click this to email a view or image.
10. Print - Click this to print the current view of the Earth.
11. Navigation controls - Use these to tilt, zoom and move around your viewpoint (see below).
12. Layers panel - Use this to display points of interest.
13. Places panel - Use this to locate, save, organize and revisit placemarks.
14. 3D Viewer - View the globe and its terrain in this window.
15. Status bar - View coordinate, elevation and imagery streaming status here.

Five Cool, Easy Things You Can Do in Google Earth

Want to jump in and start having fun with Google Earth? Try any of the the following:

• View an image of your home, school or any place on Earth - Click Fly To. Enter the location in the input box and click the Search button. In the search results (Places panel), double click the location. Google Earth flies you to this location.
  Search button
• Go on a tour of the world - In the Places panel, check the Sightseeing folder and click the Play Tour button:
  
• Get driving directions from one place to another and fly (follow) the route - See Getting Directions and Touring the Route.
• View other cool locations and features created by other Google Earth users - In the Layers panel, check Community Showcase. Interesting placemarks and other features appear in the 3D viewer. Double click these points of interest to view and explore. See Using Points of Interest (POIs) for more information.
• View 3D terrain of a place - This is more fun with hilly or mountainous terrain, such as the Grand Canyon. Go to a location (see number 1 above). When the view shows the location, use the tilt slider to tilt the terrain. See Using the Navigational Controls and Tilting and Viewing Hilly Terrain for more information.
  Tilt slider