Satellite view
Much of the world's available satellite imagery is not more than 3 years old and updated on a regular basis. Google Maps provides high-resolution aerial or satellite images for most urban areas of the world. Satellite imagery does not necessarily appear in the same resolution— for example less populated areas often appear with less detail.
Google's mapping engine prompted a surge of interest in satellite imagery, due to its easily pan-able and searchable mapping and satellite imagery tool.[citation needed] Websites were created to feature satellite images of interesting natural and human-made landmarks, including such novelties as large writing visible in the imagery, famous stadiums, and unique geological formations.Although Google uses the word satellite, most of the high-resolution imagery of cities is aerial photography taken from aircraft flying at 800 feet (240 m) to 1,500 feet (460 m); however, most of the other imagery is from satellites. Google Aerial View is provided in some urban areas.