The world is full of interesting and unusual places. An overhead perspective provides a fascinating way to explore these places. A new activity in the ArcLessons library invites you to analyze 24 unusual places. The activity uses a set of images on ArcGIS Online and therefore takes place entirely within a web browser, easy to teach with and learn from.

The “Happy Earth” image, just one of 24 unusual images that you will analyze in this lesson. Why is “will you marry me?” etched on top of a building? What does the Cadillac Ranch look like from above?

In working through this activity, you will begin to think spatially by making use of maps, satellite images, and the concepts of scale and measurement. You will consider human impacts on the landscape, and learn how to use GIS and maps as analytical tools.

No previous GIS skills are required for this lesson, and it can be used at the primary, secondary, or even the university undergraduate level, with different questions for each.

Because of the flexibility of the ArcGIS Online environment, you can easily add your own unusual images, or start over with your own theme. These maps are embedded inside ArcGIS Explorer Online, which allows for the presentation capabilities that you see in this activity. You can modify this one or create your own presentation.

Select five images that are of most interest to you and answer the following: What is unusual? Is this a natural feature or a human-made feature? What is its length, width, and area? In what country is the unusual feature found? What are the long-term implications of this feature? Which one of your features is in the least populated area? The most? Which feature is changing the fastest? Which one is changing the least? Why? Do you think that any of these features will exist in 100 years? If so, which ones? Which one of your features is nearest where you live? How far is it? Which one of your features would you most like to visit? Why?

- Joseph Kerski, Esri Education Manager