The Michelin Guide is a restaurant and hotel guide that has been published by the French tyre company Michelin since 1900. Originally created as a guide for French motorists, it later developed into an international reference for dining and travel. It awards up to three Michelin stars for excellence to a select few restaurants in certain geographic areas based on evaluations by anonymous inspectors. Michelin also publishes the Green Guides, a series of general guides to cities, regions, and countries.