Google Maps provides satellite and map views in addition to Street Views. The satellite view of Google Maps uses the same backend satellite imagery database used by Google Earth.

The satellite imagery are typically from the GeoEye or DigitalGlobe owned satellites, and some of the imagery are actually aerial photos from aircraft using special high resolution cameras.

NASA provides vast archives of satellite imagery much of which are available online such as the NASA Image Gallery.

Google Maps is a great tool to see satellite imagery of earth. Remember to change "Map" view to "Satellite" to display the satellite imagery.

If you need better (higher resolution) imagery, you could try other mapping programs or, if you have the resources, you could consider purchasing imagery for your own use.

Here are a few companies with websites to start with, but there are others, try doing an internet search for satellite and aerial imagery:

• DigitalGlobe
• Spot Image
• MapMart
• Terrametrics
• TerraServer