SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) -- Google on Monday added details of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) environmental projects to its popular global online mapping service.

The Mountain View, Calif., Internet search powerhouse wove WWF images, information and Web site links into its Google Earth program.

"This joint initiative will allow WWF to spread its conservation message to a vast new audience," said WWF director general James Leape. "People interested in conservation and the environment now will be able to visit WWF projects in some of the worlds most threatened and biologically diverse places from their home computers."

Google added 150 projects of Switzerland-based WWF to a showcase of the world's natural wonders, famous haunts, and man-made changes that it debuted in its global mapping service in September of 2006.

Google Earth offers "Featured Content" ranging from details of the Three Gorges Dam in China and King Tut's tomb in Egypt to Itsukushima Shrine in Japan and Pablo Picasso's favorite social spot in Sweden.

Google provides the information in "multimedia overlays" that users can trigger while viewing a virtual globe.

Icons designate natural wonders, major landmarks or cities, and environmental changes such as deforestation in the Amazon and a shrinking glacier in Iceland.

"Were pleased that the WWF has chosen Google Earth as a platform for sharing their incredibly important conservation work," said Google Earth and Maps director John Hanke. "Google Earth has proven to be a powerful resource for the environmental community and for users wanting to learn more about the world around them."