satellite images... click & smile... you r on "candid camera"..

I would say the best way to view the earths surface these days... fast and efficiently... is by using digital maps and imagery views from satellites. Its super fast, affordable and extremely reliable.

Check this out:
http://www.digitalglobe.com/
http://www.spaceimaging.com/

Satellite imagery currently is becoming the de-facto guide to spatial analysis and location finding for many GIS applications. Gone are the days when you have to fly a plane and take aerial photos. The synergy between Remote Sensing and GIS too is becoming closer based on the various GIS user needs and applications.

2 of the most popular satellites that provide images are QUICKBIRD and IKONOS... anywhere... all over the world. They are currently the market leaders in satellite imagery with quick and accuracte images. The pricing is also very competitive and the data is always up to date. Place an order and you can get an image within 7 days. These satellites circle the globe in about 3 days. There are a few resellers in Malaysia that provide these services including MACRES (Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing) who owns and runs a ground receiving station.

There are various customer requirements and that results in various range of image resolution and spectral options. Accuracy is determined by matching the actual ground location with the image pixels.




Robert HavellAmerican, 1793 - 1878
Carolina Pigeon or Turtle Dove, 1827
Hand-colored etching and aquatint on Whatman paper