The database also includes coverage for the French Overseas Territories of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin.

Strengthening Tele Atlas' regional leadership, the announcement builds on the company's recently-launched Africa database, which now encompasses coverage for more than 1.1 million kilometers, more than 290,000 POIs, and coverage of Botswana, Egypt, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa.

In South Africa alone, research leader GfK Group reports that Tele Atlas maps power 99% of the personal navigation units currently deployed.

Tele Atlas partners in the global personal navigation, wireless, Internet, automotive and enterprise navigation solutions markets now have access to navigable digital maps for Northern, Southern and Eastern Africa, demonstrating the company's continued commitment to expand in the region.

"As the markets for location based products and services continue to expand-from wireless and LBS services to enterprise and government applications-Tele Atlas remains committed to delivering digital maps and content to help our partners enrich their offerings," said Peter Davie, Global Product Manager, Tele Atlas.

"The addition of navigable map coverage across the continent significantly strengthens Tele Atlas' position in the emerging African market and ensures we are able to deliver the coverage our customers' end users seek. Furthermore, the addition of the French Overseas territories will help our customers deploy solutions that include accurate, high-quality coverage of France."

Subsequent African database products are planned to include additional street network coverage and countries, rich POI content and Tele Atlas' extensive range of enhancement products such as 3D landmarks and detailed city maps.