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Bigger is Better: 10 Huge Images of the Planet
Intro
Photographers are in the middle of a Gigapixel arms race a push to see who can create the biggest, most detailed image in the world. A recent 80-gigapixel, 360-degree panoramic photo of London a new world record highlights our countdown of the world's biggest images. If printed at home, the London image would be 115 feet long and 56 feet tall (35 meters by 17 meters tall). Wow!
Paris, France Specs:See it!
Behold the French capital city. The Paris 26-Gigapixel image is an intimate view of the City of Lights and its famous monuments. To create this crisp image, a team of photographers stitched together 2,346 single photos.
See what's going on atop the Eiffel Tower or zoom over to the Panthéon and peer inside the bell tower. The Paris 26-Gigapixel also has an interactive tour of the 20 most beautiful monuments in Paris.
: http://www.paris-26-gigapixels.com/index-en.html
Swiss Alps, Switzerland Specs: See it!
Ever visited the Swiss Alps? Well it doesn't matter because looking at the Swiss Alps 31-Gigapixel image a 360-degree panorama is like standing atop the snowcapped peaks.
The scenic beauty of the mountains is a calm contrast to the bustle of huge city images. Can you find any wildlife lurking downhill?
The panorama gives a sense of solitude, but look over your shoulder you're not alone on the mountain.
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: http://www.obeng.ch/GigaPanos/default.asp
Dubai, United Arab Emirates Specs: See it!
The Dubai 45-Gigapixel image captures the essence of Dubai a city on the rise.
Zoom in on any of the high-rises that are under construction or stare off into the surrounding desert.
One person with too much time on their hands even found a Waldo look-alike in this Dubai image. Can you find him too?
: http://www.gigapan.org/gigapans/48492/
Marburg, Germany Specs:See it!
The Marburg 47-Gigapixel image combines the best of city life and scenic beauty.
The unique architecture of the city and its surrounding green hills create a charming, albeit huge, image.
: http://www.gigapixel-marburg.de/
Vienna, AustriaSpecs:See it!
The Vienna 50-gigapixel, 360-degree panoramic image is a wonderful way to discover this Austrian city.
The image includes an interactive tour of the city's most famous spots. But don't stop with the outside view, click on the cameras to get an inside look at these historic treasures.
Corcovado Mountain, Rio De Janeiro, BrazilSpecs: See it!
This Brazil mountain is adorned with one of South America's most iconic images a 125-foot- tall (38 meters) statue of Jesus, entitled Cristo Redentor or "Christ the Redeemer."
See Rio de Janeiro from atop this granite peak in the Corcovado 67-Gigapixel image.
: http://www.gigapan.org/gigapans/54825
Budapest, Hungary Specs: See it!
The thick tree-canopy is the first thing you notice about Budapest in this 70-gigapixel image. But zoom in, and the canopy parts for this dense Hungarian city.
The image also has an interactive tour of must-see sites.
: http://70gigapixel.cloudapp.net/
Arches National Park, Grand County, Utah Specs: See it!
The Arches National Park 77-Gigapixel image is perfect for the mountain climber looking to scout a route up the rock.
This image is so detailed that hooks, chains and other climbing essentials cab be found on the face of the peak.
: http://www.gigapan.org/gigapans/59267/
Sugar Loaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Specs: See it!
The second entry from Brazil is the Sugar Loaf 0.15-Terapix image.
Remember that Christ the Redeemer statue? Now you can look back at it across the city at Corcovado Mountain.
: http://www.gigapan.org/gigapans/58857/
London, England Specs: See it!
The London 80-Gigapixel is the newest entry to the gigapixel club.
While the Sugar Loaf Mountain image has a higher pixel count, the London image is unmatched for its clarity and definition. It's also the largest 360-degree panorama in the world.
A person could waste hours peering onto sidewalks and looking in windows. The image is so detail-rich that its creators have hosted treasure hunts for dedicated virtual travelers.