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Paran� River, Argentina (April 1993)

STS056-075-104

The muddy, multibraided channels of the Paran� River are visible as the river flows south past the city of Rosario (population of more than 1 million). The floodplain, much of which appears to be covered by open, sediment-laden water, perhaps experienced some flooding in this section of the Paran�. The dark green area within the confines of the river’s floodplain shows the densely vegetated, basically uninhabited swamplands that extend in a swath of unproductive land for 35 miles (60 kilometers) to the western end of the Rio de la Plata. The extensively cultivated field patterns on either side of the river are part of the highly productive agricultural Pampas region, many areas of which are poorly drained, reclaimed swamplands. Rosario, a commercial city approximately 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is noted for its transshipping and processing facilities for grains, hay, meat, wool, and sugar. Other smaller urban areas can be seen principally along the west bank of the river, except for Paran�, which lies along the east bank at the northern edge of the photograph. (Refer to STS-056-102-004 for the extensive delta area of the Paran� River near Buenos Aires.)

Plateaus of Northeast Niger (October 1990)

STS041-086-091

Two major plateaus of arid northeast Niger are impressive in this near-vertical photograph. The southern edge and escarpment of the Plateau du Mangeni are seen along the northern part of the photograph, while the northernmost edge of the Plateau du Djado is discernible near the southern part of the photograph. Although it is difficult to determine accurately elevation differences between the tops of the plateaus and the valley floors, a reasonable estimate is approximately 1000 feet (300 meters) in the more severe topographic relief areas. These plateaus present major obstacles to ground transportation through this part of the Sahara Desert. Barely visible is a trail (light blue line south of the Plateau du Mangeni) that follows the valley floor between the two plateaus in a general northwest-southeast orientation. The prevailing northeast wind creates visible wind streaks in a northeast-southwest alignment along the western half of the photograph, providing evidence of surface wind erosion of these plateaus.

Point Reyes National Seashore, California (October 1995)

STS073-726-004

This spectacular, west-looking, low-oblique photograph highlights the Point Reyes National Seashore located approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of San Francisco. The U.S. Congress created a national preserve in 1962 to include Point Reyes, a triangular peninsula. It is an area of exceptional beauty, with blunt headlands jutting into the sea and grass-tufted dunes lying along sheltered beaches. Within the preserve is the high, forested Inverness Ridge, which has a small grove of coast redwoods. Offshore rocks house many bird rookeries and sea lion herds. The famous San Andreas Fault (partially filled with water) can be seen passing northwest-southeast along the east side of the park. During the 1906 earthquake that destroyed most of the city of San Francisco, Point Reyes suffered a 15- to 20-foot (5- to 7-meter) horizontal displacement of rock along the fault scarp. Formed by the San Andreas Fault, Drakes Bay, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean southeast of Point Reyes, was visited by Sir Francis Drake in 1579. Discernible near the northeast edge of the photograph is the small city of Petaluma, a large poultry and dairy center that manufactures cheese, twine, fishing lines, canvas goods, and fabricated metal.

Puerto Rico (October 1989)

STS034-076-088

The island of Puerto Rico, lying east-west, is slightly more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) long, and the average north-south width is about 35 miles (56 kilometers). More than three-fourths of Puerto Rico’s land area consists of mountains and hills. The main chain of mountains running lengthwise is called the Cordillera Central in the west and the Sierra de Cayey in the east. Average land elevations are about 3000 feet (900 meters) above sea level, with the highest peak, Cerro de Punta at 4389 feet (1338 meters), located near the center of the photograph. The remainder of the island consists of lowlands and coastal plains. The two major cities of San Juan (estimated population 500 000) and Ponce (estimated population 200 000) are visible in the photograph. San Juan, the capital, is a port city on the north side of the island toward the eastern end, and Ponce is the major port city on the south side near the middle of the island.

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