A new high resolution aerial photo map of Bermuda can now be downloaded online.

The detailed aerial image is a mesh of more than 100 aerial photographs taken at a height of 4,500 metres in 1997 and can be found at www.LookBermuda.com/PhotoMap.

It was a collaborative effort between LookBermuda Destination Media Services and the Bermuda Biodiversity Project, which hopes to use the technology to create the most comprehensive map of Bermuda?s coral reefs and sea-grasses ever produced.

?By adding layers of spatial data over the aerial map in this way, we may be able to uncover previously poorly understood relationships between species and their environments, thereby helping us to better protect our natural heritage,? Annie Glasspool, of the Bermuda Biodiversity Project said.

?The image, however, has many other uses and we are thrilled that LookBermuda has been able to develop a truly dynamic interactive system that will allow people to benefit from this product, and hopefully build upon it.?

LookBermuda?s managing director Jean-Pierre Rouja said new technology enabled them to give free access to the image to anyone with an Internet connection.

?The source image is of a high enough resolution that the user is able to zoom in to the point of being able to see features such as buildings and even cars on the road,? Mr. Rouja said.

?Our system allows this process to happen smoothly even over slow connections, viewing a several gigabyte source image, that due to its size would otherwise be unmanageable without a high powered computer and dedicated software.?