Google posted on its Blog about the updates coming to Google Maps. In the last few years, Google has consistently added features and useful information within Maps and it’s time for the maps themselves to be updated. Google used a color mapping algorithm to color maps that represent different terrain and geographic features.
Google Map of Iceland: Old (Left), New (Right)
The result is a “more comprehensive, vibrant map of an area on a global scale.” Lakes rivers and oceans are blue, beaches and deserts are brown, and lush areas are green.
According to Google, you will notice an improvement if you look at big city or a small rural city.
“Soon” we will be able to see more accurate maps of streets, sidewalks and pedestrian islands. Google plans to launch more detailed street maps of London, New York and San Francisco “in the coming weeks” with the intention of expanding to more cities over time.
Source
