Like most people, you probably think of aerial mapping as only used by the military or large businesses. But did you know that aerial mapping can be used for various purposes, from real estate to disaster relief? We will discuss 21 interesting facts about aerial mapping. You might be surprised at how versatile this technology really is!

1. Aerial mapping is creating two-dimensional or three-dimensional maps from aerial photographs
2. Aerial mapping can be used for various purposes, including land use planning, disaster response, environmental monitoring, and navigation.
3. It began in the 19th century with the invention of the camera. Early aerial photographers used large-format cameras mounted on balloons or kites to take pictures of the ground below.
4. The first aerial photograph from a hot air balloon in 1858 by French photographer Gaspar Felix Tournachon, also known as “Nadar.”
5. In the early 20th century, aerial photography was used extensively for mapmaking. In addition, large-scale aerial surveys were conducted in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
6. Aerial photography was also used during World War I for military purposes. For example, German aerial photographer Franz Hanfstaengl took the first aerial photographs of enemy targets in 1914.
7. American photographer George R. Lawrence used a camera attached to a kite to take aerial photographs of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. The resulting images showed the extent of the damage caused by the quake and fires.
8. Modern aerial mapping began in the 1930s with the development of aircraft-mounted cameras and stereoscopic imaging techniques.
9. Aerial mapping is now commonly done with digital cameras and GPS technology. This allows for the creation of highly accurate maps.
10. Aerial mapping can be used to create three-dimensional models of the ground surface. This is called digital terrain modelling (DTM).
11. DTMs can be used for various purposes, including land use planning, environmental impact assessment, and disaster response.
12. Aerial mapping can also create three-dimensional models of buildings and other structures. This is called digital surface modelling (DSM).
13. DSMs can be used for various purposes, including urban planning, architectural design, and construction management.
14. Aerial mapping is often used with LiDAR (light detection and ranging) to create highly accurate three-dimensional maps.
15. LiDAR is a remote sensing technology that uses lasers to measure the distance to objects on the ground.
16. LiDAR data can create digital elevation models (DEMs) with unprecedented accuracy.
17. DEMs can be used for various purposes, including terrain visualization, flood modelling, and landslide hazard assessment.
18. Aerial mapping can also be used to create orthophotos. Orthophotos are aerial photographs that have been geometrically corrected so that they can be used as map substitutes.
19. Orthophotos can be used for a variety of purposes, including land use planning, cadastral mapping, and infrastructure management.
20. Aerial mapping is often used in conjunction with other data sources, such as aerial LiDAR, to create more comprehensive maps.
21. Map data can be stored in various formats, including raster images, vector data, and elevation models.
22. Map data can be accessed and viewed using a variety of software programs, including GIS (geographic information system) software.

Aerial mapping has a long history dating back to the 19th century. Today, it is commonly used for a variety of purposes, including land use planning, environmental impact assessment, disaster response, and construction management. aerial mapping is a versatile tool that can be used to create highly accurate maps. In addition, thanks to advances in technology, aerial mapping is more accessible than ever before. So if you need a map for your next project, be sure to consider aerial mapping!