Have you ever spent hours clicking around Google Earth just looking at cool places on the globe? Just me, huh? Yeah, I'm a nerd.
"The Overview Effect" is the term used to describe how astronauts feel when looking down at the Earth. It's a chance to appreciate our home as a whole, rather than our own small parcel. New York City photographer Benjamin Grant joined with Digital Globe to find the most beautiful shots from around the world. These are just some of the coolest I've selected.
1. Central Park, New York City
Central Park is one of the most filmed locations in the world, but I doubt many of those films included a shot quite like this one.
2. The Forbidden City, Beijing
The home of emperors for over 500 years, China's Forbidden City now acts as a museum and tourist location.
3. Córdoba, Spain
These olive plantations look almost like a computer component from above.
4. Jwaneng Diamond Mine, Botswana
This mine is the richest in the world. The colors are so beautiful and otherworldly.
On the next page, a trip to Haiti and to a city with an insanely strict grid system.
5. Port-au-Prince, Haiti
In the Killick Stenio Vincent neighborhood of Haiti's capital, the homes are built tightly along steep hillsides.
6. Parliament House in Canberra, Australia
Before building began, the top of the hill was flattened. Afterwards, all of the soil removed in that process was put back on top of the building to create a huge green space.
7. La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires
This province in Argentina was actually named after the city of Buenos Aires, with the city of La Plata as its capital. It was built to a very strict grid system that boggles the mind.
8. Brasilla, Brazil
This city was planned in 1960 to look like an airplane from above.
Up next: a little greenery in the desert.
9. Dubai Silicon Oasis, United Arab Emirates
Once again proving that Dubai does nothing by halves.
10. Los Caracoles Pass, Chili
"The Snails Pass" winds through the Andes Mountains on the border between Chili and Argentina.
11. Richmond, California
This massive parking lot is for cars being unloaded off cargo ships for sale in the USA.
12. The Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois
There are nine circles surrounding the center because the number nine represents perfection in the Baha'i faith.
Next we have one more stop in Illinois before we leave North America again.
13. Midway International Airport in Chicago, Illinois
It's so weird to see an airport packed so tightly in the middle of residential homes.
14. Lisse, The Netherlands
Find me one thing prettier to farm than tulips. It's like acres of rainbows!
15. Nezahualcóyotl in Mexico City, Mexico
Nezahualcóyotl is a tightly packed municipality of Mexico City.
16. Palmanova, Italy
This star-shaped fort was built on the strategy that defenders at the points of the star could attack enemies at the walls from behind. It must have worked, because they built three walls for this one!
17. Seville, Spain
Electricity is so cool, people! This solar concentrator uses the mirrors to focus sunlight on a central tower full of molten salt, which is then used to create steam to spin a turbine. SCIENCE!
Which overview photo is the coolest? Be sure to SHAREthis post with anyone else who would think it's super cool!
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