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From a microscopic New York

From a microscopic New York to a desert that looks like Mars .... incredible aerial photos show Earth as you've NEVER seen it before

By Travelmail Reporter
Published: 12:16 GMT, 7 June 2014 | Updated: 16:19 GMT, 7 June 2014

The most vivid imaginations would do well to dream up some of the stunning, and at times perplexing, patterns and colours found when we take a bird's eye view of some of the world's most majestic cities and remote landscapes. 
The Swakopmund Saltworks at the edge of the Namib Desert looks more like Mars than anything found on Earth while rice paddies in Madagascar resemble the world of a skilled cake decorator. 
Male is magnificent from the air with it's otherwise uninspiring blocks of buildings bursting with the bright colour usually associated with the surround calm ocean waters while the Blue and Golden cities of Rajasthan in India are sights to behold.  
New York's Central Park is an oasis for those who frequent the Big Apple, and an awesome site from above where we realise the full extent of its imprint on skyscraper-packed Manhattan.
Iconic sights often shine from any angle, but it's especially the case from above when it comes to the walled Old City in Dubrovnik and Paris at twilight as The Arc de Triomphe becomes the focal point of the skyline...
Betsiboka, Madagascar: These terraced rice fields are the work of the Betsileo people, noted to be savvy farmers - their name means 'The many invincibles'
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Betsiboka, Madagascar: These terraced rice fields are the work of the Betsileo people, noted to be savvy farmers - their name means 'The many invincibles'
Namib Desert, Namibia: The surreal pink waters of the Swakopmund Saltworks are a curious sight and a surprisingly brilliant spot for birdwatchers
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Namib Desert, Namibia: The surreal pink waters of the Swakopmund Saltworks are a curious sight and a surprisingly brilliant spot for birdwatchers
Rajasthan, India: There's good reason Jodhpur, the second-largest city in Rajasthan, is known as 'Blue City' - here it's captured from Mehrangarh fort's wall
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Rajasthan, India: There's good reason Jodhpur, the second-largest city in Rajasthan, is known as 'Blue City' - here it's captured from Mehrangarh fort's wall
Jaisalmer, India: The colours of Rajasthan take on earthy tones in 'The Golden City', where its buildings are a reflection of the yellow stone on which the town stands
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Jaisalmer, India: The colours of Rajasthan take on earthy tones in 'The Golden City', where its buildings are a reflection of the yellow stone on which the town stands
Chicago, USA: The bright lights of Downtown Chicago shine bright shades of orange beneath a moody sky
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Chicago, USA: The bright lights of Downtown Chicago shine bright shades of orange beneath a moody sky

Bac Son Valley, Vietnam: Only a bird's eye view can do justice to the beauty of this fertile agricultural region north of Hanoi
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Bac Son Valley, Vietnam: Only a bird's eye view can do justice to the beauty of this fertile agricultural region north of Hanoi
New York, USA: The iconic 843 acres of Manhattan that is Central Park glows like a green beacon amid the skyscrapers
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New York, USA: The iconic 843 acres of Manhattan that is Central Park glows like a green beacon amid the skyscrapers
Male, Maldives: The brightly painted tall buildings of Male go close to matching the ever-present bright turquoise water that surrounds it
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Male, Maldives: The brightly painted tall buildings of Male go close to matching the ever-present bright turquoise water that surrounds it
Longleat Maze, Wiltshire, England: With one and three quarter miles of paths to get lost in, formed by 16,000 hedged English Yews, this is a sight to behold
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Longleat Maze, Wiltshire, England: With one and three quarter miles of paths to get lost in, formed by 16,000 hedged English Yews, this is a sight to behold
Old City Dubrovnik, Croatia: The 'Pearl of the Adriatic' may have lost some of its lustre due to natural and man-inflicted damage, but from above the UNESCO World Heritage-listed walled city remains a remarkable sight
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Old City Dubrovnik, Croatia: The 'Pearl of the Adriatic' may have lost some of its lustre due to natural and man-inflicted damage, but from above the UNESCO World Heritage-listed walled city remains a remarkable sight
Lisse, Netherlands: The tulip fields on the outskirts of this town in southern Holland are a major attraction and each spring they hold a big Bloemencorso ('flower parade')
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Lisse, Netherlands: The tulip fields on the outskirts of this town in southern Holland are a major attraction and each spring they hold a big Bloemencorso ('flower parade')
Paris, France: Paris by moonlight? Give us twilight, as The Arc de Triomphe illuminates and cars negotiate the Place Charles de Gaulle
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Paris, France: Paris by moonlight? Give us twilight, as The Arc de Triomphe illuminates and cars negotiate the Place Charles de Gaulle
Walvis Bay, Namibia: This is where the desert meets the not-so deep blue (at this point anyway) sea
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Walvis Bay, Namibia: This is where the desert meets the not-so deep blue (at this point anyway) sea
Barcelona, Spain: If we didn't tell would you have guessed? Didn't think so. Barca isn't beaches, bars and Las Rambles, it's a bustling port city too
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Barcelona, Spain: If we didn't tell would you have guessed? Didn't think so. Barca isn't beaches, bars and Las Rambles, it's a bustling port city too
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Like some sort of elegant insect the engineering marvels of the Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Jumeirah jut out of the desert landscape
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Like some sort of elegant insect the engineering marvels of the Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Jumeirah jut out of the desert landscape
Cairo, Egypt: If you look closely you'll see three squares - the Great Pyramids of Giza - as they're increasingly engulfed by the city
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Cairo, Egypt: If you look closely you'll see three squares - the Great Pyramids of Giza - as they're increasingly engulfed by the city

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