Garmin has announced an expansion of Outdoor Maps , which it continues to describe as its 'premium mapping solution'. For reference, while Outdoor Maps is available worldwide, some new features are exclusive to customers in the US. Specifically, Garmin outlines half a dozen US-exclusive features:

• Buildings: Determine your location or get help with route planning with a map layer showing 2D building footprints. Expanded to include all areas of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
• Campgrounds: Find a spot to spend the night and know which amenities are provided for the U.S. and Canada.
• DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer Points: Locate U.S. points of interest, such as unique natural features like mountains and waterfalls, available outdoor recreational activities, family-friendly attractions, recreational areas such as state/national parks/forests and places to fish or hunt.
• Heritage Points: See castles, forts, lighthouses, religious sites and other historic points of interest around the world overlaid on a map.
• LTE Voice Coverage: See if voice coverage is available with a map layer showing LTE coverage for Verizon, AT&T, UScellular and T-Mobile wireless carriers throughout the U.S.
• USFS Points: View United States Forest Service locations for camping, hiking, picnicking, outdoor learning, nature viewing, fishing and more.

For some reason, Garmin is only bringing two new features to Outdoor Maps customers living in Europe. Unfortunately, the company describes these as an extension of functionality that was already available across the US. In this case, Garmin now allows European customers to access Expanded Relief Shading, which depicts elevation changes and terrain features by colour gradients.

Additionally, Garmin has extended Raster Maps, which takes data from providers in France and Switzerland to show camping areas, points of interest, water sources, trails and trailheads, among other things. It is worth keeping in mind that Outdoor Maps remains a $49.99 annual subscription; please see Garmin's website for more information.

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