Instagrammer’s Mesmerizing Satellite Images Reveal the Human Impact on Our World

Daily Overview shows the world from above, inspiring the Overview Effect, and changing the way we see our planet. Here are 15 of their images that showcase the brilliant work they are producing.

The Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project near Tonopah, Nevada

The Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project near Tonopah, Nevada powers up to 75,000 homes during peak electricity periods. So how does it work? The project uses 17,500 heliostat mirrors to collect and focus the sun’s thermal energy to heat molten salt flowing through a 540-foot (160 m) tall solar power tower. The molten salt then circulates from the tower to a storage tank where it is used to produce steam and generate electricity. One last thing – look closely at the lower left corner of this Overview and you’ll see an airplane flying over the complex!

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Oct 4, 2015 at 2:54pm PDT

The hills of Umlazi, a township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Houses swirl on the hills of Umlazi – a township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The present site of Umlazi was occupied by American missionaries in 1836 and only opened to black residents in 1965, many of whom moved there from Durban. The current population of the township is approximately 405,000.

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Oct 24, 2015 at 8:17am PDT

Lake Tandou, an innovative water conservation project in New South Wales, Australia.

This Overview shows approximately 22 miles of Lake Tandou, an innovative water conservation project in New South Wales, Australia. The lakebed is protected from flooding and uses irrigation canals (the thin green lines) to grow cotton, sunflowers, and grains. Have a great weekend!

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Oct 23, 2015 at 9:49am PDT

The dry terminal at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The dry terminal at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands is the busiest transshipment facility of its kind in Europe – moving primarily coal and iron ore. The massive vessels that dock here carry up to 380,000 tonnes of these minerals to power plants and blast-furnaces in Germany, France, Belgium, and other European countries.

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Oct 20, 2015 at 9:45am PDT

The Lebrija 1 Solar Power Plant in Lebrija, Spain

The Lebrija 1 Solar Power Plant in Lebrija, Spain is comprised of approximately 170,000 individual mirrors installed on 6,048 parabolic troughs. If placed next to one another, the troughs would extend for 60 kilometers.

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Oct 18, 2015 at 1:28pm PDT

The Brock Reservoir – located near Gordons Well, California, USA

The Brock Reservoir – located near Gordons Well, California, USA – is used to supply water to nearby farmers via the All-American Canal. Compared to other reservoirs, Brock’s capacity is relatively small with storage for only 2,600 million US gallons. Since 2013, reservoirs across the state of California have experienced a significant reduction in water levels, with more than 80% of land experiencing severe to exceptional drought.

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Oct 10, 2015 at 5:54am PDT

Casablanca, Morocco

Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco with four million residents, accounting for 11% of the entire country. Many officials report that these figure are underestimated and the total population is actually somewhere between 5 and 6 million. This recent surge has occurred because severe droughts have forced many Moroccans to move into urban areas to find new forms of work. The Cite Djemaa neighborhood, located in the southeast of the city, is seen here.

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Oct 8, 2015 at 9:05am PDT

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

To celebrate our 115K milestone, we’re doing a PRINT GIVEAWAY from our Printshop! To enter the contest, simply TAG FOUR (4) FRIENDS in the comments of this Overview. In 72 hours, we’ll announce a winner who will receive a 12” print of this view of Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! Contest Winner: @bessayeager !!!

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Sep 15, 2015 at 7:11am PDT

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

To celebrate our 💯K milestone and thank you all for making Daily Overview what it is today, we’re doing a PRINT GIVEAWAY from our Printshop! To enter the contest, simply TAG THREE (3) FRIENDS in the comments of this Overview. In 72 hours, we’ll announce a winner who will receive a 12” print of their choice such as the one here of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Both the capital and the largest city in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa has a population of approximately 3.4 million. Despite the significant role urban agriculture has played in the history of the city, this activity is facing challenges due to rapid urbanization and the subsequent competitive demand for land.

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Aug 9, 2015 at 2:16pm PDT

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport covers more than 43 square kilometers (~ 27 square miles) in Texas, USA. The facility is the third busiest airport in the world by aircraft movements (679,820 in 2014) and the ninth busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic (63 million+ in 2014).

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Oct 27, 2015 at 8:48am PDT

The villages of Novo Selo Rok and Sivica in Medimurje County, Croatia.

Agricultural fields surround the villages of Novo Selo Rok and Sivica in Medimurje County, Croatia. Of the county's 729.5 km² total area, nearly half – 360 km² – is used for agricultural purposes.

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Sep 14, 2015 at 8:06am PDT

The Bremerhaven Port in Bremen, Germany

Thousands of items including shipping containers, wind turbine blades, and automobiles are prepared for transport at the Bremerhaven Port in Bremen, Germany. At any given moment, the port contains between 60,000 and 80,000 vehicles and it serves as the 23rd busiest port in the world with 5,831 thousand TEU's moved each year. With this post we’ll be signing off on vacation for the week and look forward to more posts when we get back!

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Aug 30, 2015 at 11:10am PDT

Incheon Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge that stretches 21.4 kilometers from Yeongjong Island to the mainland of Incheon in South Korea.

Incheon Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that stretches 21.4 kilometers (13.3 miles) from Yeongjong Island to the mainland of Incheon in South Korea. The structure’s central tower (what makes the bridge “cable-stayed”) was the most challenging part to construct with a height of 230.5 meters (756.2 ft) and a vertical clearance of 74 meters (243 ft). The entire project cost more than two billion dollars (three trillion Korean won) to complete.

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Sep 23, 2015 at 11:14am PDT

Brighton Pier, England

Brighton Pier, also known as Palace Pier, is constructed off the coast of the English city of Brighton. Extending 524 meters (1,719 feet) into the English Channel, the structure contains numerous restaurants, rides, and roller coasters.

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Sep 26, 2015 at 5:03am PDT

The Soquimich Lithium Mine, located in the Atacama Desert of Chile.

The Soquimich Lithium Mine is located in the Atacama Desert of Chile. With no historical record of rainfall in parts of the region, it is considered to be one of the driest places on Earth. Mineral-rich brines —water with a high percentage of dissolved salts — are pumped via underground wells into large, shallow ponds that are colored to speed up the evaporation process. The subsurface brines of the Atacama are particularly rich in lithium salts, an essential component of batteries and certain medicines.

A photo posted by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview) on Sep 16, 2015 at 9:49am PDT