Google Earth
Jamie McLellan | July 4th, 2007
At the risk of exposing my inner geek, I’d like to list Google Earth as one of my favourite travel tools.
For the few remaining people who haven’t experienced this amazing piece of software, Google Earth is an interactive 3D model of the planet we inhabit. Google have mapped satellite imagery obtained from NASA onto a virtual 3D globe that can be spun, panned, rotated and zoomed into.
The detail is astonishing. For example when the imaging satellite passed over a friends house in Sydney it must have been summer as you can clearly see their sunshade out over the back yard!
The most mind-boggling feature however has got to be the 3D terrain views and buildings views. Natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and Mount Fuji are shown in full three-dimensional detail. Major cities are also built up in three dimensions with every building represented.
Not only is Google Earth a great way to virtually see the world from above, but it is also a great tool for getting a feel for a destination before you’ve even left home. Places of interest can be bookmarked. These bookmarks can be kept private or shared online, and can be emailed as links also. As with Google Maps, Google Earth points out places of historic interest, restaurants, roadmaps, etc.
Download Google Earth for both Mac and PC’s from here - http://www.earth.google.com
