Earth Explorer

Editors' ReviewDownload.com staffOctober 8, 2009If Google Earth has inspired a generation of amateur geographers, Earth Explorer may be just the thing to help supplement that interest. The program offers a 3D rendition of the Earth spinning in space, next to a table of information on countries, cites, and islands. Clicking on any of the entries shows its location on the globe, and scrolling over the table provides data such as population, country size, and capital city. Users can zoom in on any area of the globe, displaying high-resolution satellite images, or calculate the distances between any two points. The program can be configured to display different views, such as those outlining rivers, major cities, or recent earthquakes. As a student resource, the program could certainly be invaluable, but anyone with an interest in geography may also find this a fun way to expand her global knowledge.