Question: I'm trying to achieve an effect similar to this: 

![http://www.state.gov/cms_images/france_map_2007-worldfactbook2.jpg](https://i.stack.imgur.com/spJ57.jpg)

Notice how France is brighter than the other countries. It has the 'focus'. I've been exploring the API and it looks like I'm supposed use `kmlLayers` to achieve this effect. Is this correct? If so, how do I leverage or even find kml to do this? How else could I do this?

Thanks

Answer: 
The information at these links will help you, I think:

1. KML of the [World Countries](https://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/?fromgroups#!msg/gec-tools/rNjNRYbaWSI/5x5vfgxc0w0J) as created by Valery Hronusov
2. KML of the [World Capitals](https://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/?fromgroups#!msg/gec-tools/wYh3esMW6XM/XNcwYwlTuB0J) as created by Filipumme
this demo shows you how: <https://google-developers.appspot.com/maps/documentation/javascript/examples/layer-kml>

aight, got kml for france; working demo: <http://dev.bowdenweb.com/maps/gmaps/layer-kml-02.html>