Stretching over 480 kilometres from the Guatemalan highlands to the Caribbean Sea, the Motagua River is one of the most important waterways in Central America. It winds through diverse landscapes, from rugged mountains to fertile plains, supporting agriculture, fisheries, and numerous communities. For centuries, the river has served as a vital...

This striking composite image of Greenland’s south-eastern coast was created from three Copernicus Sentinel-1 radar acquisitions on 31 January, 8 March, and 20 March 2025.  The multicolour patterns along the fjords and ice fronts highlight dynamic changes in ice and sea ice positions, with the rainbow-like interference showing how far ice has...

Massive wildfires are spreading in north-west and western Spain, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents.   By 17 August 2025, Spain had already recorded its highest annual total of estimated fire emissions in the 23-year Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) dataset.   This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 16 August...

A devastating wildfire in France's Aude region, started on 5 August 2025, has become the country's most severe in nearly 80 years, burning over 17,000 hectares, an area larger than Paris. The fire's rapid spread was exacerbated by drought conditions, dry vegetation, and strong winds.  This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2...

Noordwijk, located on the Dutch North Sea coast, is home to stunning landscapes, including 13 kilometres of sandy beaches. The town boasts tall sand dunes and lush forests, which provide a relaxing atmosphere for outdoor activities. It also serves as an important hub for the EU Space Programme, hosting the Galileo Reference Centre.  This image,...

The Giza Plateau, located on the western edge of Greater Cairo, Egypt, is home to some of the most iconic monuments of the ancient world. Foremost among them is the Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza, the last surviving wonder of the ancient world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Constructed over 4,500 years ago, these...

Following the launch of Copernicus Sentinel-4A last month, the European Union successfully launched the Copernicus Sentinel-5A to further monitor air quality and emissions around the world.  The satellite lifted off from the Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 02:37am (CEST) onboard Ariane 62 rocket and sent its first signal to Earth...

The Mayon Volcano, located in Albay province on Luzon Island in the Philippines, is one of the most active stratovolcanoes in the world. Rising 2,462 metres above sea level, it is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and a designated protected landscape under the Philippine National Integrated Protected Areas System. Its fertile slopes support...

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is located on the islands of Zealand (Sjælland) and Amager. City authorities are working to make it the world’s first carbon-neutral capital by 2025. This commitment to sustainability is reflected in the city’s bike lanes, abundant urban green spaces, and widespread green roofs, all of which are visible in...

Located in north-western Madagascar, Ankarafantsika National Park is a key stronghold for the island’s unique dry deciduous forests, among the most threatened ecosystems in the region. Designated as a protected area, the park supports an extraordinary range of endemic wildlife, including eight species of lemurs, rare reptiles, and over 120 bird...

The Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam is one of the most productive agricultural zones in Southeast Asia, essential to rice, fruit, and aquaculture production. This fertile region, shaped by a complex network of rivers and canals, is affected by seasonal flooding which enriches the soil, thereby sustaining millions of livelihoods.   This...

Canada is currently facing an intense fire season, with hundreds of active wildfires across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba, prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents. Smoke from these fires has severely degraded air quality both locally and across borders, including the United States.  This false colour image, acquired by one of...

This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites on 2 August 2025, shows vivid turquoise and milky-blue swirls in the Barents Sea, north of Scandinavia. These striking patterns are caused by a large phytoplankton bloom, microscopic photosynthetic organisms that form the base of the marine food chain and contribute...

Stretching across the arid plains of northern Patagonia, the Alto Valle of the Río Negro is a remarkable agricultural oasis in Argentina. Despite the surrounding semi-desert landscape, this narrow strip thrives thanks to irrigation from the Río Negro River, supporting one of the country's most productive fruit-growing regions. Orchards of...

Mount Bromo, located in the Area Gunung Bromo, Podokoyo, Pasuruan in East Java, Indonesia, is a prominent active volcano and a popular tourist destination within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Rising to 2,329 metres, it is famous for its captivating sunrise views and its vast surrounding sea of volcanic sand. The volcano is part of the...

Situated in the south-western corner of Angola, the Iona National Park marks the northernmost reach of the Namib Desert, believed to be the oldest desert on Earth. Spanning 15,150 km², Iona forms part of one of the world’s largest transfrontier conservation areas, linking with the Skeleton Coast National Park and the Namib Partial Reserve to...

1 August is Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day, dedicated to raising awareness about MPAs and their vital role in marine environment conservation, sustainable development, and the well-being of communities.  In 2025, the Gorgona National Natural Park, located off the Pacific coast of Colombia, was one of four MPAs to receive the Blue Park Award,...

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is situated in the country's north-east, along the banks of the Spree River. Berlin’s geographical position places it at the crossroads of important European routes, contributing to its historical significance as a centre of trade and politics. With an area of around 890 square kilometres, it is one of the...

As of 29 July 2025, Portugal is impacted by major wildfires in the north and centre of the country, with more than 2,000 firefighters mobilised to battle the flames. The most affected areas are Arouca (Aveiro District), Ponte da Barca (Viana do Castelo District), and Penamacor (Castelo Branco District). The village of Fornos de Carvão, in the...

On 26 July 2025, a wildfire broke out in a rural, forested area near Pitsinades in central Kythira, one of the seven Ionian Islands in Greece’s Attica region. The fire prompted a large emergency response, including the evacuation of nearby residents.  On the same day of the fire’s outbreak, the Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection...