10 Spectacular Landmarks You Can See from Space
According to NASA, the International Space Station (ISS) orbits Earth at an average altitude of about 250 miles. Have you ever wondered what Earth looks like from that distance? Astronauts flying on board the ISS can observe many of the world’s most wondrous natural and human landmarks.
Seen from the ground, these awe-inspiring sights are iconic, but from space, their size, shape, and features that single them out for observation make them visible from orbit.
The River Thames
Winding through the heart of London, the River Thames looks like a dark, snaking line through the city’s bright lights. It is a particularly glorious sight from space—an image of a river flowing naturally, at odds with London’s structured urban environment.
The lights along the river at night make it easy to see its path, emphasize iconic bridges, and create a striking image against the dark backdrop of Earth.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is one of Earth’s most remarkable sights. It is perched in the Andes Mountains and visible from space. This ancient Incan city is 7,970 feet high and has distinct terraces and sharp angles. The site’s visual contrasts with the lush green mountains form a dramatic scene.
Fun Fact: Machu Picchu has been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World due to its steep history and cultural reference.
The Great Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramids of Giza built more than 4,500 years ago, are among the world’s oldest and most iconic structures. They look like tiny, triangular shadows against the Egyptian desert from space.
While the Great Pyramid of Pharaoh Khufu, at a vast 481 feet, is the tallest and most prominent of the three, it is also one of the marvels of ancient engineering. It is easily visible even hundreds of miles above Earth.
Fun Fact: Astronauts note that the pyramids can be easily recognized, not for their size but because they have distinctive geometry and stand out against the rest of the surrounding desert.
The Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest is the world’s largest tropical rainforest, covering 3–3.2 million square miles across nine countries. From up there, it’s an unbroken expanse of green, as far as you can see.
It helps maintain Earth’s oxygen levels and is one of the most prominent features of South America, with its bright color and sheer size.
Did You Know? The Amazon Rainforest produces approximately 6% of the oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere, which is why it’s often referred to as “the lungs of the planet.”
The Grand Canyon
Another wonder you can see from space is the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Its widest point is about 277 miles long and 18 miles wide. The site’s unique topography and red and orange hues distinguish it from the rest of the landscape.
The Palm Islands, Dubai
The Palm Islands in Dubai are large, artificial islands shaped like palm trees. They are architectural wonders designed to stand out. Palm Jumeirah is a five-kilometer-long artificial island topped with a crescent-shaped breakwater.
Their palm frond shapes are visible from space and are delineated against the darker waters of the Persian Gulf.
Quick Fact: Over 3.9 billion cubic feet of sand were dredged from the sea to construct Palm Jumeirah, showcasing human creativity on a grand scale.
The Nile River
National Geographic mentions that The Nile River is long and stretches over 4,000 miles across Northeastern Africa. Because of its lush, green banks, it appears in stark visual contrast to the barren deserts of Egypt and Sudan from space.
The “lifeline of Egypt,” the Nile is visible for its length and historical significance as the cradle of one of the most advanced ancient civilizations.
Fun Detail: Sometimes, astronauts can observe the river’s seasonal flooding patterns, transforming the dry landscape into fertile farmland.
City Lights at Night
From space, city lights at night show lovely celestial constellations of human activity on the surface of Earth when the sun sets. Dramatic patterns that develop as human civilization spread are highlighted in major urban cities such as New York City, London, and Tokyo, which light up in dazzling patterns.
Some regions are brighter than others, indicating population density and industrial activity, but roads, bridges, and urban layouts are clearly outlined.
Notable Highlights: The Las Vegas Strip is one of the Planet’s spots visible from space. It glows so intensely that it’s almost like looking at the Milky Way from the ground. National Geographic even affirms that Las Vegas is the brightest city on Earth at night!
The Himalayas
In space, the Himalayan mountain range boasts towering peaks rising high above Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Tibet to the top of a high barrier of snow-capped mountains.
The Himalayas peaks average 20,000 feet in height, and Mount Everest, the tallest peak, is 29,032 feet of sheer rock, tall enough to be noticed from the International Space Station.
Fascinating Fact: Astronauts have described the Himalayas as appearing “gleaming white and impenetrable,” a snow-draped crown for the planet.
Kennecott Copper Mine
The Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah (also known as the Kennecott Copper Mine) is the largest open-pit mine in the world.
This human-made landmark measures 2.5 miles wide and 1,200 meters deep and is easily seen from orbit. It looks distinctly circular and almost exclusively reddish compared to the surrounding terrain.
Amazing Fact: Since work started at this mine, it has produced more copper than any other mine—over 19 million tons.
These landmarks, both created by nature and by man, provide a real taste of how diverse our planet is in its beauty. Not only from up close, but their visibility from space tells us that these places possess incredible things, and it’s time to cherish them. The next time you look at the night sky, know that our planet holds wonders.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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