Fascinating large-format satellite images show changes in our environment caused by the influence of humans. Discover large metropolitan developments with their impressive skylines, endless residential estates, as well as a variety of village structures in rural settings. Crystal-clear images from all continents document the ever increasing land use for developing farm land and for mining raw materials. This book also provides views of exposed living spaces including the settlements of Greenland, isolated farming outposts in the desert and research stations in Antarctica. The images used here have been acquired by the Earth observation satellites IKONOS, Quickbird, GeoEye-1 and WorldView-2. With highly detailed images, these satellites make possible permanent documentation of changes in the environment caused by human and/or natural influences. They provide an indispensable support tool for managing disasters.