A satellite image of Africa. With modern day map making techniques, more accurate representations of continents are available. Note the difference of the curve at the bottom of Africa on this map compared to the map of Africa Turner provided which is straight. 

    In more modern times, satellite imaging aids in the production of maps. While at first met with skepticism from many mapmakers, many cartographers now implement the use of the “Land Sat” system for producing their maps [1]. In this system, pictures are taken of a region of land via satellite. A mapmaker then takes two overlapping images into what is called a “stereo model”. The cartographer draws in the contour lines of the images to give the map characteristics such as elevation [2]. However, satellite image use in map making presents its own set of problems. Because the images are taken from space, there is a great possibility obstructions such as clouds may affect the image. This issue is alleviated by the multiple images taken by satellites. If a cloud partially blocks a city in one image, another part of the city in a different image, and so on, the multiple images can be pieced together in a process called mosaicing. This editing helps produce a complete image of the city as if the cloud was never there [3].

     Since the introduction of satellites in cartography, new kinds of maps have come into existence. Whereas the content of the maps in the Turner text show regional features, political divisions, and regional religious description, modern day map making can identify similar themes as well as mapping themes such as pollution and weather systems [4]. Satellite imaging has also greatly helped in the mapping of oceans as before mapmakers would need to take expeditions to sea for mapping the ocean and islands. Now satellite imaging achieves ocean mapping without the expensive expeditions [5].