The Earth at Night NGS Wall Map

The Earth at Night wall map from the National Geographic Society, 94 x 56cm /(37" x 24" approx) a thought provoking satellite image with far more information that meets the eye at the first glance. The map was produced as a composite of satellite images from cloud-free nights gathered over a one-year period.

White colour highlights greater population density, indicating not only urban conurbations but also uneven distribution of population in many areas; the Nile and its delta, along the Trans-Siberian railway, the contrast between Sumatra and Java, etc.

Orange shows areas of slash-and burn agriculture, red marks wasteful burn-offs of natural gas, while bright blue colour indicates night fishing. Brief notes provide comments and tips for interpreting various features on the image.

The map can be an excellent educational tool for discussing the contrast between the developed countries and the Third World, a puzzle naming various cities, etc.