Night lights illustrate dramatically the relative economic activity of cities and countries.
Published Feb 24, 2014
While city lights at night serve as a good proxy for population density, North Korea provides a dark exception.
Published Dec 18, 2012Image of the Day Land Water Fires Unique Imagery Human Presence
In the past three decades, Quito’s urban area has more than quadrupled.
Published Sep 30, 2019
Kwangju (or Gwangju) Metropolitan City is the fifth largest urban area in South Korea. With a population of 1.4 million people, it is a major economic and cultural center for the southern portion of the country. The city is located in a geographic basin with high mountains to the east—the mountain of Mudeungsan has a peak elevation of 1,140 meters (3,740 feet)—and more open plains to the west.
Published Apr 30, 2007
City lights trace the outline of Italy's “boot” and the island of Sicily.
Published Jul 4, 2011
It is the capital of Utah, headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and “the crossroads of the West.”
Published Jan 6, 2014
In this astronaut photo from June 12, 2009, the urban fabric of Pohang, South Korea, is strikingly divided by the Hyeongsan River.
Published Jul 27, 2009
The developed areas of Brasília and its satellite cities are clearly outlined by street grids and highway lights in this astronaut photograph taken from the International Space Station.
Published Jan 31, 2011
This nighttime view of the British capital offers unique insight into the city’s urban density and infrastructure as highlighted by electrical lighting. Interpreting the brightest areas as the most populated, the population density drops off rapidly from the bright urban center until it reaches the vicinity of the Orbital, an encircling roadway.
Published Feb 23, 2003
Croplands and grasslands around New Delhi are being converted into city structures to create one of the fastest urban expansions in the world.
Published Sep 27, 2018
Nearly 10 percent of Brazil’s population lives in São Paulo, which ranks as the tenth largest city in the world.
Published Jul 9, 2014
About 80 percent of South Korea’s oysters are grown in these waters.
Published Nov 25, 2019
Milan, the largest city in Italy, is one of Europe’s major transportation, industrial, and commercial hubs, and a global center of fashion and culture.
Published Mar 14, 2011
This nighttime astronaut photo shows the city lights of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on September 11, 2009.
Published Sep 28, 2009
