New Caledonia: Through Google Earth and NASA World Wind

Located East of Australia

View Coordinates: 20°27’05.69" S 165°26’48.18" E

Exact View Location: 22°16’40.97" S 166°27’08.31" E and yes, this is the same island.

In Easter Island, it was the western portion which was mostly inhabited. As we turn to New Caledonia it is the southern region that is overwhelmingly populated.

While the capital city – Noumea, stands out as one increasingly zooms  in for a better look, neighbouring regions like Le Mont-Dore which lies to the east of Noumea are also alive and buzzing.

In this same region of New Caledonia, are a series of trees (within the white outline) planted in an unnatural pattern in contrast to surrounding trees.

When looking at the surrounding mountainside, which is elevated over 1900 feet above the ground in the picture above according to the ruler tool, it makes you wonder if they acted as a protective barrier enabling settlements to develop. The fact that New Caledonia is surrounded by water provided another defence for local inhabitants from foreign invaders until their ships landed.

Coral Reefs located southeast of the island imply that humans are not the only inhabitants within the political boundaries of New Caledonia as underwater lifeforms would thrive within these reefs.

While New Caledonia’s southern region remains the home to many of its human inhabitants, the northern region is relatively uninhabited. Yet as the second photo above demonstrates via the bridge across a body of water (confined within a pattern similar to the outline of Australia), human infrastructure can be found throughout the region.

By utilizing satellite images via Google Earth and NASA World Wind, I have been able to do something previous generations could not – explore regions of the world without entering their political border. This analysis of New Caledonia is by no means complete although I hope it has enlightened your understanding of this region and the world we live in.

 

Guyana: Through NASA World Wind and Google Earth

Alongside Google, NASA has played a key role in reshaping our understanding of planet Earth and its position in our universe. Yet, is it still possible in the twenty-first century to have unexplored territory? Being integrated into the Amazon Rainforest ensures the possibility that potential new discoveries are certain in our future versus a figment of our past. Only by understanding the world we live in can we truly understand the role of lifeforms elsewhere.

NASA World Wind image of the Guyana region within South America

With so much foliage, what mysteries lie unearthed?

View Location:  3°58’25.75" N  59°20’21.33" W

Yet, deforestation still exists. Is it truly necessary to new discoveries by reshaping the environment it rests within?

Alternative approaches lead to alternative results. Hard work by a similar brush paints a picture where both the discoverer and the environment can co-exist.