iyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, has experienced remarkable growth over the past decades. Its population has surged from just 150,000 in 1960 to an estimated 5.4 million in 2012. This transformation is not only evident on the ground but also from space, where the city appears as a vibrant mosaic of lights in a nighttime astronaut photograph.
The brightest areas of the city highlight its bustling commercial districts, especially along King Abdullah Road and King Fahd Branch Road. In contrast, many darker areas within the urban landscape represent city parks, providing green spaces amidst the dense metropolis.
University campuses, such as King Saud University, home to the Arabic Language Institute, and Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University, the world’s largest all-female university, stand out due to their distinct lighting and layout. Major highways and ring roads, which structure the city’s expansion, are also highly visible due to their bright, regular lighting patterns. Beyond these main roads, newer developments can be seen extending into the outskirts, their blue-gray illumination marking the city's continued growth.
While nighttime images of Riyadh reveal the city's illuminated infrastructure and layout with striking clarity, daytime satellite images offer less distinct details. The contrast between the two perspectives highlights the importance of nighttime imagery in understanding urban development and planning.
This incredible view of Riyadh was taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on November 13, 2012. The photograph (ISS033-E-20288) was captured using a Nikon D3S digital camera equipped with a 400mm lens. The image was enhanced to improve contrast and remove lens artifacts.
The ISS Crew Earth Observations experiment, in collaboration with NASA’s Image Science & Analysis Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center, facilitates such stunning imagery. The ISS National Lab supports this initiative, allowing astronauts to capture and share images of Earth for both scientific research and public interest.
For more breathtaking images taken by astronauts, visit the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth.
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