function initialize() {
	var latlng = new google.maps.LatLng(-33.5960, 22.205);																	// center of map
	var myOptions = {
		zoom: 15,
		center: latlng,
		mapTypeId: google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP
	};
	var map = new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById("map_canvas"), myOptions);			// create map
	
	var imageLugro = 'images/icons/lugro.gif';																				// marker icon
	var latlngLugro = new google.maps.LatLng(-33.59890, 22.20470);													// marker location
	var lugroMarkerOptions = {																															// marker options
		map: map,																																						// map to use for marker
		title: "Lugro Ostrich Ostrich Leather - 133 Langenhoven Road",										// marker title (tooltip)
		visible: true,
		icon: imageLugro,
		position: latlngLugro
	};
	var lugroMarker = new google.maps.Marker( lugroMarkerOptions );													// create lugro marker
	
	var imageINFO = 'images/icons/oudtshoorn_info.gif';																				// INFO marker icon
	var latlngINFO = new google.maps.LatLng(-33.59160, 22.20190);													// marker location
	var infoMarkerOptions = {																															// marker options
		map: map,																																						// map to use for marker
		title: "OUDTSHOORN INFO - Queen's Hotel Building",										// marker title (tooltip)
		visible: true,
		icon: imageINFO,
		position: latlngINFO
	};
	var infoMarker = new google.maps.Marker( infoMarkerOptions );
}