Art-spotting on Google Earth isn't a new idea. But it can be difficult to find something worthwhile. To spot neuron-like river deltas or unique urban geometry among greying cities and deforested land. When you have a satellite view of the entire planet, you are often not sure where to start, which is why Google Earth View has done the job for you.
On February 11, 2020, the application released 1,000-plus breathtaking images of Earth taken from space. Accessed through an interactive map, users can click on small location bubbles that expand to show high-resolution landscapes. Combining past uploads to their Earth View Gallery, this brings Google's count to 2,500 captured locations from around the globe.
Speaking on the announcement, product manager Gopal Shah felt that Earth View had "the power to elevate our minds from our tiny screens to outer space... and (move) us to care more deeply about this strange but kaleidoscopically beautiful planet". All the pictures can be viewed on the Earth View Gallery, are downloadable, and make for instant wallpaper material.
India's selection has over 30 photos, where the most recognisable might be Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Some of the locations are slightly off on the Earth View map, but we've corrected them in this story. Here are our top 10 from the subcontinent
Emerald palettes in Gujarat
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai
Dreamy hues of Andaman and Nicobar
Acid-wash layers at Talsana, Gujarat
Watercolours at Bargi Dam Reservoir, Madhya Pradesh
Mellow grids at Sadhna, Rajasthan
Blushing shores of Bideipur, Odisha
Breezes from the Arabian Sea at Sikka, Gujarat
A meandering maze at Chargheri, West Bengal
Mysterious beauty at Jamnagar, Gujarat
To explore all the locations, visit earthview.withgoogle.com/map