Set Google Maps Marker Position With City Name (address?)

Im creating a map with Google Maps JavaScript API V3 When Setting Marker 'Position' Property, We have to set it with latitude and longitude. what if I want to create a Country map

Solution 1:

You can also use the Google Geocoding API to do this, all you have to do is to request :

http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json?address=PLACE&sensor=false

Depending of what you want in return (Json or XML), and where PLACE is where you want to Geocode, and where every space is replace by +. I advice you to give an accurate address by adding the postal code and the country for exemple to prevent errors.

The advantage of using this is that the user don't have to request the Google Geocoding everytime you show the map, especially when you have a lot of markers. You Geocode once only.