Arlington Cemetery Debuts New Interactive Map

A massive electronic database detailing the burial sites of hundreds of thousands of people at Arlington National Cemetery is now accessible to the public.

Cemetery officials built the database over the last two years to verify the accuracy of their records in the wake of reports of misidentified graves. Prior to 2010 the cemetery used paper records.

On Monday, the cemetery debuted an interactive map available through its website and through a free smartphone app. It uses geospatial technology to hone in on specific graves and can also be searched by name.

Officials say the new app makes it easier for people walking the cemetery to locate a loved one's burial place as well as some of the cemetery's notable graves.

The cemetery hosts more than 4 million visitors annually.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)