Why doesn't Google Maps have a 3D model of Washington, DC?

Andre might be right that the government doesn't want the 3D models out there, though they could just tell Google to censor specific buildings or areas. read more

Initially, Google Maps only showed prominent landmarks in 3D, as models had to be crowded-sourced and created by hand with Google Sketchup, the company’s modeling software. Then in 2012, Maps rolled out a way of automating 3D generation through a process known as stereophotogrammetry. read more

However, if you look at Washington, DC, on Google Earth and the areas where there are 3D buildings and not, you’ll note that it extends beyond the Mall and into Northern Virginia (the Pentagon) and a potion of the Naval Yard (part of the Office of Naval Intelligence). read more