ReadMe.txt

GeocodeTowns
Author: Henry Whipps
Last updated: 3/15/2017


PURPOSE:
'GeocodeTowns.py' uses the Google Geocoding API to find the latitude and longitude of each location listed in an input CSV file.  The data is then output in a CSV file in the 'Output' directory.  The output file can be easily used in ArcMap or another GIS as 'XY' data.


INPUTS:
-The 'InputTownList' should be the file path of your input CSV file.  Your CSV file’s first column should be a list of towns and the second column should be the towns' corresponding state, state abbreviation, or country.  See the sample input CSV file (SampleInputList.csv) for a demonstration of the various formats of locations that can be used in the input file.

-The 'APIKey' input should be your Google API key.  This key can be obtained for free from Google but there is a limit of 2,500 requests per 24 hour period (1 request = 1 location from your input CSV file).  Instructions on how to obtain a key from google can be found at the following url: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/geocoding/?hl=en_US#api_key


EXAMPLE USAGE:
from GeocodeTowns import geocodeTowns
InputTownList = "SampleInputList.csv"
APIKey = "YOUR_API_KEY"
geocodeTowns(InputTownList, APIKey)