Kazakstan collective farms
| The city of Qostanay on the Tobol River in northern Kazakstan is the dark patch located in the center of this early spring view. The surrounding snow-covered landscape is crosscut by typical patterns of human development. Extending out from the city in various directions are linear roadways. Surrounding the city are numerous rectangular collective farms, each of which is surrounded by dense rows of trees that serve as windbreaks. The rows are easily discerned by the high piles of snow that have been blown against them, and which give this scene a three-dimensional aspect. This image was taken on shuttle flight STS-59. |
Credit: Courtesy Kam Lulla, JSC. For more images of this type, see the "Human Imprints from Space" slide set (Gwynn, Wilkinson, and Lulla; Lunar and Planetary Institute #989)
For more info: http://images.jsc.nasa.gov/iams/images/earth/STS059/html/20140790.htm