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Today, we'll be taking one more epic trip around the globe and taking a look at a few of my favorite destinations and some final pictures that I began in 2021 but only finished up recently. I've spent the first few months this year working on completely new custom made terrain mods, custom made BATs, lot editor textures (which you'll be seeing in the pictures below), FSHs, and more to compliment existing custom content - I hope to bring a handful of the planet's most amazing scenes to life. -korver
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True Earth (Preview) Today, I thought I'd share a couple of pictures that I've been working on lately in preparation for a larger entry which you'll be seeing hopefully in the next month or two. I'm getting back to working on completely new custom made terrain mods, custom made BATs, FSHs, lot editor textures (which you'll be seeing in the pictures below), and more to compliment existing custom content - and I hope to really bring some of the planet's most amazing scenes to life. Hope you enjoy! Christ The Redeemer Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Central Plaza Hong Kong, China, SAR Mount Roraima Guiana Highlands, Brazil/Guyana/Venezuela Border Fifth Avenue in the 1960s New York, United States Mount Everest The Himalayas, Nepal/China Border Gold Coast Queensland, Australia Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Today, we're taking a tour around the globe and taking in some of the world's most magnificent New Year's celebrations from high above. From New York, Montreal, Amsterdam, Shanghai, and more - it's going to be quite the scene to behold! New York City, United States Montreal, Québec, Canada Amsterdam, The Netherlands Shanghai, China Taipei, Taiwan Our Miniature World at Night Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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As we approach the end of the year, I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for the comments as of late and throughout the year - 2021 was truly a noteworthy year for this city journal! 2021 featured plenty of advancements with custom made BATs, lots, custom textures, MMPs, FSHs, mods, and much more to bring the Earth to SimCity 4 in a truly authentic, realistic, and creative way - and featured scenes from across all of the major continents. Highlights included beautiful natural wonders, massive urban scenes, quaint villages, region-wide views, and even trips through time to explore the changes and impact of humanity on iconic cities, famed landmarks, and even the after effects of natural and made-made events - it was quite the year! And also, don't forget to continue to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already so you won't miss my next upcoming project as well! -korver
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For the next installment of my Greece series, we're going to take quite the in-depth look around the country and showcasing some of Greece's most awe inspiring, mysterious, and magical landmarks of the past and present. Over the course of this year, I've been fine tuning scenes and creating even more custom terrain mods, custom BATs, custom FSHs, and other various custom content to make the most memorable trip possible - so I hope you'll enjoy the journey! Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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A Trip To Greece In today's entry, we're going to take a quick look at few preview scenes from an upcoming entry I've been working on from Greece. As always, I've been pushing the limits of SC4 custom content with new BATs, terrain mods, lot textures, FSH modifications, more MMPs, and much more to complement existing content - so I hope you'll enjoy this little trip to Greece! Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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In today's update, we're taking another trip around the planet - but this time, exploring a few of the globe's most breathtaking sights in a winter wonderland. It's going to be quite the magical journey- I hope you enjoy! Vail, Colorado, United States Edmonton, Alberta Amsterdam, The Netherlands Landwasser Viaduct, Switzerland Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany Warsaw, Poland Lake Baikal, Russia Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately 750 miles across eight Alpine countries (from west to east): France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia. These landscapes are world-renown for their countless stunning natural sights with iconic peaks, lakes, rivers, charming villages, farmland, and much more. In today's update, we're going to be backpacking across these magical, mountainous landscapes and taking in some of the best sights that the Alps have to offer. We'll begin our journey with an aerial panorama of the majestic Alps mountain range from high above with the neighboring countries in view. Our journey gets started off on foot in the Italian Alps - which are home to some of the Alps' most imposing peaks. After a few days checking out some the local villages and surrounding sights, the majestic 11,000+ ft tall Dolomites come into view - making for an amazing sight. Even though the landscape can be quite rugged in the foothills of the Alps, the locals have still farmed these rolling hillsides for centuries - and small farmhouses and cattle grazing are a common sight across the landscape. Small villages can also be seen all around, such as the beautiful Villaggio Di Alpenzu. Our hike through the countryside continues and as the elevation starts to rise once again, the landscape quickly becomes much more rugged and mountainous. Landslips and scree slopes dot the heavily forested hillsides - and small chateaus can be seen all around. After nearly a week more of backpacking across the Alps by foot - we decide to catch a ride on the legendary Glacier Express to explore even more of these magical landscapes. One of the most noteworthy locations on the legendary Glacier Express passenger train is the breathtaking Landwasser Viaduct, especially during wintertime. Standing 213 feet at it's highest point, it's one of the most picturesque locations in the entire Swiss Alps. We'll now be catching a helicopter for the final leg of our journey - and we'll be taking in some of the region's most impressive sights from above. Reaching a height of 14,692 feet, The Matterhorn is the Alps' most iconic peak and is truly breathtaking from the air. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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With a population over 25 million, Shanghai is one of China's (and the world's) largest cities and an important international business and financial center. From small market town in the 1200s, prosperous colonial port city in the 1800s, and finally a rising global economic hub in the present day - it's a city with an impressive history and a bright future. Today we'll be taking a look at a number of the city's most iconic landmarks and districts constructed over the years, beginning with a look at the historic Yu Gardens. These classical gardens date from the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century - and the exquisite layout, beautiful scenery, and the artistic style of the garden architecture have made the garden one of the highlights of Shanghai. Shanghai's skyline began to grow upwards in the early 1900s - and the Broadway Mansions opened in 1934 as one of the city's first skyscrapers. This art deco hotel has been a symbol of the city for decades. Shanghai saw more growth over the upcoming years - and the city's shopping districts began to skyrocket in popularity. Named one of "The World's Seven Great Roads", the iconic Nanjing Road and the surrounding shopping districts served as one of the city's most popular and busiest destinations in the mid 20th century. Shanghai's next major wave of construction came in the 1990s - and towering skyscrapers such as the Jin Mao Tower started to rise. Completed in 1999, this 1,380 ft tall building was China's tallest skyscraper when built and is another one of the city's most iconic sights. The tower's distinctive proportions revolve around the number eight - a number that's associated with prosperity in Chinese culture. The Aurora Plaza, known for it's highly reflective gold facade, was completed in 2003 and sits prominently on the city's waterfront along the Huangpu River. 2003 also saw the completion of Tomorrow Square - another one of the city's tallest and most futuristic skyscrapers at the time and a defining sight of the Huangpu District. For the last couple of sights, we'll be heading back to Pudong to take a look at a few more of the city's most impressive modern skyscrapers. Here we see a view of Shanghai's skyline towering over the Huangpu River. And finally a few views of Shanghai's and Pudong's sprawling skyline from high above. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Today, I'll be showcasing some of my recent progress in a preview entry with completely new custom made terrain mods, custom made BATs, lot editor textures, new FSH flora modifications, and more to compliment existing custom content (you'll see even more of this in upcoming entries as well). Hope you enjoy! Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Today, we'll be returning to the United States for a road trip across the country from coast to coast - and our journey begins in California along the picturesque farmlands of Napa Valley, California. This world renowned wine-producing region produces some of the planet's finest wines and is home to some of the country's most beautiful rural sights - and we take them all in along our drive through Highway 29 in the heart of the valley. We head southwards across the Rockies and eventually hit the famous Route 66 - and truck stops are a ubiquitous sight along the highway. We stop for gas, stock up, and continue along our way. The journey continues on along Route 287 as we travel further into the deep South - and we'll be making a stop in the "Big Easy" - New Orleans. Located on a large river bend along the Mississippi River, it's one of the United States' most iconic cities and is well known for its iconic architecture and cuisine. The Caesars Superdome (formerly Louisiana and Mercedes-Benz Superdome) is one of the city's most famous landmarks. Built in the early 1970s, it's served as the home of the New Orleans Saints ever since. The trip now takes us northwards across Louisiana, Mississippi, and southern Tennessee - and along most outer city limits, a typical suburban roadside scene like the one below can be seen. Shortly past the Tennessee border is where we'll find our next major city in the region, Memphis. Also known as "Bluff City", it's well known for it's importance in the Rock & Roll and Blues scene. Our road trip now takes us further East, across the famed Appalachian Mountains - and we're sure to make a stop in the next major city along our way, Charlotte, North Carolina. Another one of the region's most important cities, Charlotte's downtown is filled with plenty of impressive modern skyscrapers and office buildings. We now head back northwest towards the heart of America for the next leg of our road trip - and much of this region is crossed by an expansive maze of highways, turnpikes, and expressways. Here we see a typical highway scene in Illinois along Interstate 74 as our road trip continues on northwards. And after a few days of driving and checking out the scenery of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota alongside Interstate 90 - we've finally arrived in our next city of Duluth, Minnesota. This port city on Lake Superior is uniquely noted for being one of the world's furthest inland ports. We hit the road one final time as the road trip takes us towards the East Coast - and remnants of past America can be seen dotting the roadsides. This abandoned Amoco station in New Castle, Pennsylvania has been closed for decades - making for a unique and desolate sight along our journey. After traversing through Pennsylvania's interior along Interstate 80, we've now arrived in the state's (and one of the United States') largest cities, Philadelphia. The famous towers of One and Two Liberty Plaza tower over the city's skyline and make for an impressive end to our road trip across the country. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Today, we're returning to one of the world's most beautiful countries - Canada - to take a look at a few more of the country's most impressive scenes. With a population of nearly 40 million and home to countless breathtaking sights across it's nearly 3.8 million square miles - making it the world's second largest country - there's no shortage of amazing scenes to take in. With completely new custom made terrain mods, custom made BATs, lot editor textures, new FSH modifications and more to compliment existing custom content, I'll be bringing some of Canada's best views to life throughout the update - so let's take a look. Thousand Islands National Park Selton, Ontario, Canada Horseshoe Falls Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada First Canadian Place Under Construction, 1975 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Inco Superstack Sudbury, Ontario, Canada The Bow Downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada Lake Winnipeg & Manitoba Central Manitoba, Canada Thank you everyone for the kind comments recently! Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Today, we're continuing on our trip exploring a region from one of the world's most beautiful countries - the Ecuadorian Andes. Quintessentially Ecuador, this region (also known as the Highlands) is one of the most visited in the country. Its cultural and natural diversity spans grassy highlands (paramo), cloudforests, mountain lakes, active volcanoes, thermal baths, Indian markets, colonial towns and haciendas. Two chains of mountains form Ecuador's highlands, with lush green valleys nestled in the middle - and are flanked by some of the continent's most majestic volcanoes which we'll be checking out throughout the entry. Let's take a look at some of this beautiful region's most amazing sights in today's update. We'll begin with an aerial view of the region, with some it's most majestic volcanoes on display - an area that's known as the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Ecuador's highest point is the imposing Mount Chimborazo - standing 20,564 feet high, it's one of the continent's highest points. But perhaps it's known better for a unique distinction - because of the curvature of the Earth around the Equator, it's actually the world's highest mountain when measured from the center of the Earth. We travel south through the heart of the country, and this corridor of volcanoes, mountains, and lakes offers some of the Andes' best views from above. The crater lake of Quilotoa is one of the Andes Mountains' most distinctive, unique, and mesmerizing sights. We make our way towards the heart of the country for the final leg of the journey - and along the way, we visit some of the region's most beautiful farmlands and villages. Here we see a small homestead and some countryside near the city of Lloa. Towering nearby is one of the Andes' most famous mountains - Cotopaxi. Violent eruptions can happen frequently, and the steam and ash spew over the city's backdrop making for a stunning, yet dangerous sight. Fortunately however, there hasn't been an eruption since 2016 and all signs point to the volcano staying quiet for the foreseeable future. We'll conclude with a ground-level view of Cotopaxi from some of the surrounding farmlands - truly a sight to behold. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Located in central Chile, the Lake District is a region of the country that's famous for its beautiful natural sights. Home to a stunning mix of glistening lakes, smouldering volcanoes, hot springs, temperate rainforests and meandering rivers rich in fish and birdlife - there's plenty you'll want to see here. It's also one of the most culturally interesting parts of Chile, a melting pot of cultures with indigenous Mapuche communities, traditional fishing villages and a German heritage hailing from the settlers of the 1850s. Let's take a look at one of Chile's most unique and beautiful landscapes in today's update. We'll begin with a stop in the small village of Villarrica, located in the heart of Chile's Lake District - and the city's outskirts offer some truly breathtaking views of it's namesake, the massive Villarica Volcano which dominates the surrounding landscape. Villarrica is located on the banks of many pristine streams, lakes, and rivers - and as seen below, rafting and kayaking are popular activities here. Mount Villarrica is one of Chile's most active volcanoes - it's had historical eruptions dating back to the mid 1500s. The current eruption period began in late 2014 and it's been violently spewing ash, lava, and steam occasionally since then. An aerial view of the majestic Lake District with many of the region's most notable lakes, volcanoes, and mountain ranges on full display. Another view of the Lake District from high above - this time with a look over another one of the Lake District's most notable volcanoes, Osorno. While the region is world-renowned for it's natural features - there's also a number of charming villages here that you'll want to visit as well such as Puerto Varas. It sits on the southwest banks of the expansive Lake Llanquihue, which offers commanding views of snow-capped Osorno Volcano and Calbuco Volcano, both still active. Traditional German-style architecture characterizes the town, reflecting its colonial past. Built in the early 20th century, the red-and-white Sacred Heart of Jesus Church has 3 striking towers and is one of the region's most defining sights. The next stop on our journey is Chile's Chiloé Island. It's home to many quaint fishing villages like Castro where colorful stilt houses line the waterfront. Our trip today concludes with a view over some typical landscapes in the Lake District - with a number of small towns and pristine lakes on display. These beautiful sights can be seen all across the Lake District - and make it one of Chile's most memorable landscapes that you won't want to miss out on. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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The Blue Mountains are a rugged region west of Sydney in Australia’s New South Wales. Getting it's name from the distinctive blue haze that blankets the region when viewed from a distance, it's an area that's known for dramatic scenery. It encompasses steep cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and villages dotted with guesthouses, galleries and gardens. Katoomba, a major town in the area, borders Blue Mountains National Park and its bushwalking trails - which we'll be taking a look at later on in the update. Nearby Echo Point affords views of the storied Three Sisters sandstone rock formation, one of Australia's most breathtaking and unique natural wonders. The entire mountain range is widely recognized as being one of Australia's most beautiful natural landscapes - let's take a look at this stunning region in today's entry. We'll begin with a quick stay in Sydney - this iconic global city is home to one of the world's most impressive skylines and it's harbour is truly world-class. We head out of town and into the increasingly mountainous and rugged landscape. After a day of driving across winding roads through the densely forested landscape, we've finally arrived in the heart of the Blue Mountains. Located in the heart of the Blue Mountains, the "Three Sisters" rock formation is one of the area's most iconic sights. The Aboriginal dream-time legend has it that three sisters, 'Meehni', 'Wimlah' and 'Gunnedoo' lived in the nearby Jamison Valley as members of the Katoomba tribe - and they remain here today, encapsulated in stone. An aerial view over the iconic Jamison Valley with the nearby Three Sisters in view towards the middle of the scene. We'll make a quick stop in Katoomba, as seen below - it's the chief city in the region and popular destination for tourists and local hikers. We catch a plane ride over the famed Blue Mountains National Park for the next leg of the journey - they're quite awe-inspiring when viewed from high above. We finally venture out of Blue Mountains National Park to explore the surrounding areas a bit more - and further south on the Great Dividing Range lies Australia's highest point - majestic Mount Kosciuszko. We'll be exploring the Great Dividing Range and more of the beautiful surrounding landscapes later on so stay tuned. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Today, we're returning to the famed city of London for another look at this economical, political, and cultural capital - but this time - during a typical rainy English day, a common sight in the city. It's going to be pouring all day long, from morning until nighttime - so don't forget your umbrella as we take one more tour around the city and visit some of London's most iconic landmarks. We'll begin with an aerial look over the iconic English Capital from high above on a rainy afternoon. Full size link here. Before we venture into the heart of the city, we'll begin with a few views from the suburbs as the rain begins to pick up. Terraced housing is a common sight across almost all of London's suburbs. Our trip into central London begins with a rainy day at Park Crescent - one of London's most recognizable estates since its completion in the early 1800s. Complete with a private garden, these curved terraces are well known for their elegance. The trip continues on as we take a drive around central London and enjoy some of the city's most famous landmarks and districts - even on a, rainy gloomy morning. A different perspective of The Shard. A few shots from around the Millennium Dome and Canary Wharf on a rainy afternoon. The legendary Tower Bridge spans the River Thames and was completed in 1894 - it has become one of the city's most special and renown landmarks over the years. No trip to London would be complete without a trip to the iconic Palace of Westminster and its clock tower - the famed Big Ben. As things turn to night, the city starts to really come to life - even in the midst of a massive downpour. Buckingham Palace is the Royal residence and one of England's most iconic landmarks - it has served as the official London residence of the UK's sovereigns since 1837, and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. A view of iconic St. Paul's Cathedral at nighttime with a couple of the City's other landmarks. A few shots of "The City" on a rainy night - one of London's most important financial centers, it's also home to some of the city's most impressive skyscrapers like 30 St Mary Axe, also known as the Gherkin. Close by is another one of the city's most famous landmarks - the Tower of London. This historic structure was built back in the 1190s and has served as a fortress, palace, and prison. A nighttime rainfall in Canary Wharf - one of London's most important financial districts. We'll conclude with a nighttime view of one of London's most iconic modern landmarks - The Eye. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Today, our look at Hong Kong continues on with an in depth look at Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, located on the mainland. Together, they form a large part of the Hong Kong metropolitan area which is one of the world's most important financial hubs and is also home to one of the world's most recognizable skylines. This city was originally under British rule for 99 years - but in 1997 it returned to China and now is a special administrative region (SAR). With a population of nearly 8 million and a thriving business and finance sector - Hong Kong is also one of the world's most important global cities. I've been upgrading this recreation even more over the course of the year with even more custom BATs and various custom content - and you'll see the results of my progress throughout the entry. The trip begins with an aerial look over Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The entire Hong Kong urban area constitutes one of the world's most impressive cityscapes and waterfronts from high above. (Full size image link here). We now venture into the heart of central Hong Kong which features many of the city's most iconic skyscrapers like the Bank of China Tower, Lippo Centre, and the Pacific Place complex. Our first shot from Kowloon - a closeup look at the most imposing and towering Sky Tower. The next skyscraper we'll take a look at is the famous 1,227 foot tall Central Plaza overlooking Victoria Harbour. Another one of the city's most beautiful skyscrapers, it originally opened in 1992 and overtook the Bank of China Tower as the city's tallest until 2003. Back to Kowloon - and this time, with a view of the massive Vision City complex. In Kowloon, the streets are constantly crowded - it's an area that's always filled with energy and activity. We'll get away from the traffic for a moment for an aerial view of Hong Kong's stunning Union Square and the neighboring New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter - rising 1,538 feet tall, the towering International Commerce Centre is the centerpiece of the complex and the city's tallest building. Located on Lantau Island, the Tung Chung complex is also one of the city's most impressive apartments as well. One of Hong Kong's most glamorous malls, the Pacific Place complex was originally built from 1988-1991 and has been expanded a number of times since. Since it's construction in 1988, the Lippo Centre (formerly Bond Centre) has become well known as one of the city's most distinctive and unique structures. We'll conclude with a look at the impressive International Finance Centre complex - constructed from 2000-2003, it quickly became a world-class financial center upon its completion. The 1,362 foot tall 2IFC is a centerpiece of the Hong Kong skyline. Also visible towards the middle of the scene is the iconic 586 foot tall Jardine House - which was the city's tallest building for much of the 1970s. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Today, we're returning to the United States for a look at another one of the country's major (yet sometimes overlooked) cities - Cincinnati. Settled in 1788 as a small riverside port, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line with Kentucky. Also known as the "Queen City", Cincinnati is also the economic and cultural hub of the Cincinnati metropolitan area - and with an estimated population of nearly 2.2 million, it is Ohio's largest metropolitan area and the United States' 29th-largest. The city's waterfront downtown is filled with midrises, skyscrapers, and 19th century architecture - but we'll begin first with a view of one of the city's most famous sights, the Carew Tower at nighttime. This 49-story, 574-foot Art Deco building was completed in 1930 in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, overlooking the Ohio River waterfront - it's the second-tallest building in the city, and it was added to the register of National Historic Landmarks on April 19, 1994. Wintertime in Cincinnati can be quite the beautiful sight - here we see a shot of the Carew Tower and some of the surrounding neighborhoods in the midst of a winter snowstorm. A daytime view of the Carew Tower and downtown Cincinnati. The Great American Tower at Queen City Square opened in 2011 and is a state-of-the-art 41-story office tower located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati's business district. Cincinnati's tallest skyscraper stands prominently over the nearby Great American Ballpark and the city's Ohio River waterfront - it's one of the city's most recognizable sights. One of the last great American train stations built, Union Terminal opened in 1933 and became a Cincinnati Icon over the years. It's also one of the city's most widely regarded examples of the art deco style. The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, originally known as the Cincinnati-Covington Bridge, spans the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky and is another one of the city's most famous sights. When opened on December 1, 1866, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world at 1,057 feet- which was later overtaken by John A. Roebling's most famous design - the iconic 1883 Brooklyn Bridge at 1,596 feet. And finally, an aerial panorama of downtown Cincinnati from high above. Full size link here. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands with a population of nearly 900,000 within the city proper, 1.6 million in the urban area, and 2.5 million in the metropolitan area. Found within the province of North Holland, Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the "Venice of the North", due to the large number of canals which form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amsterdam is also known for its artistic heritage and narrow houses with gabled facades - legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk. Cycling is key to the city’s character - and there are numerous bike paths that cross the city. Let's take a look at one of Europe's most iconic, historic, and beautiful cities in today's update. We'll begin our tour with a look at the iconic Westkerk - Amsterdam's largest church. Completed in 1631, it's turned into one of the city's most iconic landmarks over the centuries. Built in 1770, the Muiderpoort is another relic from the city's past - it's Amsterdam's only remaining city gate. A view of another one of Amsterdam's most beautiful churches - the Nicolaaskerk. Built in the late 1800s, it's the city's primary Roman Catholic church and the most well-known of the city's "new" churches. Amsterdam is well known for the countless maze of canals that cross the city's center - here we see a typical scene with some of the city's iconic row houses. We travel back in time for our next sight - a historical view of the famed Montelbaastoren. Built in the 1500s, the tower played an important role in defending the city from outside invaders. Located in the heart of the city, the neoclassical Victoria Hotel is one of the city's most luxurious and famous hotels. A midnight view of Amsterdam's Victoria Hotel. Amsterdam Central Station is one of the city's most famous landmarks and serves as an important transportation link to the rest of Western Europe. Nighttime at the iconic Amsterdam Central Station. We'll conclude with one final view of Amsterdam's iconic cityscape by night. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Taipei is the political, economic, educational and cultural center of Taiwan and one of the major hubs of East Asia. Also the capital of Taiwan, it's a modern metropolis with old colonial lanes, busy shopping streets and contemporary buildings. The skyline is crowned by the 509m-tall, bamboo-shaped Taipei 101 skyscraper, with upscale shops at the base and a rapid elevator to an observatory near the top. Taipei is also known for its lively street-food scene and many night markets, including an expansive Shilin market. Over the years, the city has rapidly grown and has also increased in popularity with tourists as well. In today's update, let's take a trip to this impressive Asian metropolis. We'll begin with a look at the Taipei Presidential Building. Opening in in 1919, it was one of the city's first grand landmarks. A satellite view of Taipei's sprawling cityscape and suburbs from space in current times. A view of downtown Taipei at night with the modern Core Pacific City in view - the world's first 24 hour shopping mall and a "city within a city". The distinctive Dr. Sun Memorial Hall opened in 1972 as memorial to the Republic of China's National Father, Dr. Sun Yat-sen. The Taipei Fine Arts Museum opened in the early 80s and is noted for it's unique modern design. It was Taiwan's first museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art and is the city's official art museum. The National Chiang Kai-shek (CKS) Memorial Hall is a famous national monument, landmark and tourist attraction erected in memory of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China. It is located in the city's famous Zhongzheng District. A mosaic of the city's most iconic, imposing, and impressive structure - the 1,667 foot tall Taipei 101, which was completed in 2004. The iconic Taipei 101 at nighttime. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Minneapolis is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the seat of Hennepin County - with a population of 429,954 as of 2020, it is the 46th most populous city in the US. Seven counties encompassing Minneapolis and its neighbor St. Paul are known as the Twin Cities, the sixteenth largest metropolitan area in the United States. Minneapolis lies on both banks of the Mississippi River, just north of the river's confluence with the Minnesota River - and adjoins Saint Paul, the state's capital. With one of the nation's best park systems, the city is abundant in water - with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls - many connected by parkways in the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. The city itself and surrounding region is the largest population and primary business center between Chicago and Seattle. Minneapolis, historically a marketplace for timber, became the flour milling capital of the world over the years - and, to the present day, preserved its financial clout - and the city remains as an important economic, business, and transportation hub in the region. Let's take a look at few of the city's most iconic sights throughout today's update. We'll begin with a look over Minneapolis' skyline looking over the nearby Mississippi River. A typical view from one of Minneapolis' sprawling suburbs. Downtown Minneapolis at nighttime - the towering 57 story IDS Center (the city's tallest skyscraper) comes to life at nighttime. Another view of Minneapolis at midnight - with the Capella Tower and Wells Fargo Center fully illuminated. Wintertime in Minneapolis can be harsh, with temperatures plummeting into the -20s each year - here we see a wintertime shot of the Capella Tower. Another aerial view of downtown Minneapolis. We'll conclude with a daytime view of the iconic IDS Center and the surrounding cityscape from above. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound (an inlet of the Pacific Ocean) and Lake Washington, Seattle is the northernmost major city in the United States, located about 100 miles south of the Canadian border. Surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests, it contains thousands of acres of parkland. Washington State’s largest city, it’s home to many large tech industries headquartered in its metropolitan area. It's also a major gateway for trade with northern Asia, and Seattle is the fourth-largest port in North America in terms of container handling as of 2015. The futuristic Space Needle, a 1962 World’s Fair legacy, is its most iconic landmark - and it's downtown is filled with towering glass skyscrapers overlooking the city's busy seaport. Also known as the "Emerald City" - let's see what this unique destination has to offer in today's update. We'll begin with a look at the city's tallest tower - the 76 story Columbia Center. Reaching a height of 933 ft, it was the tallest structure on the United States' Western Coast at the time of it's completion in 1985. Downtown Seattle by night - featuring the iconic Columbia Center and Seattle Municipal Tower. A mosaic of Seattle's most iconic structure - the futuristic Space Needle. Here we see a shot of T-Mobile Park - home of MLB's Seattle Mariners since 1999. Completed in 1969, the modern Safeco Plaza was completed in 1969 and was one of the city's first major skyscrapers completed since the early 1900s - and was referred to by the locals as "The Box the Space Needle Came In". The iconic 486 foot tall Smith Tower was opened in 1914 and was one of the Pacific Northwest's first skyscrapers. An aerial view of downtown Seattle at nighttime. An aerial view of downtown Seattle at daytime. An aerial view of Seattle's impressive waterfront downtown and seaport from high above. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Atlanta is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia with a population of nearly 500,000. The city serves as one of the southern United States' most important cultural and economic centers, and is home to more than six million people - making it the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the nation. Situated among the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Atlanta features unique topography that includes rolling hills and the most dense urban tree coverage in the United States. The city played an important part in both the Civil War and the 1960s Civil Rights Movement - Atlanta History Center chronicles the city's past, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is dedicated to the African-American leader’s life and times. In the city's downtown, Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Olympics, encompasses the massive Georgia Aquarium and is surrounded by the city's impressive modern CBD. Let's take a trip to this iconic American city in today's update. We'll begin with a scene from Atlanta's past - much of the city was burned down by Sherman's Union troops during the Civil War in 1864. By the late 1800's, the city had rebuilt much of it's downtown core and was growing quickly - here we see the city's iconic Flatiron Building in the early 1910s. Completed in 1889, the Georgia State Capitol building is the primary office building of Georgia's government and is noted for it's distinctive gilded dome - which replaced the original terracotta dome in a 1958 renovation. Opening in 1976, the 723 ft tall Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel quickly became one of the city's most iconic sights. A nighttime view of the iconic Peachtree Center and surrounding buildings. Situated on a huge stone dome on the edge of the city's suburbs, Stone Mountain is another one of metro Atlanta's most famous sights. It's the largest bas-relief sculpture in the world and also the largest piece of exposed granite in the world. In the 1990s, the city's suburbs were growing rapidly and new "McMansions" were popping up everywhere. A shot of Midtown Atlanta above Interstate 85 with a look at the 932 ft tall Bank of America Plaza - the city's tallest skyscraper. A satellite view of Atlanta's impressive metropolitan area from space. Here we see an aerial view of Downtown Atlanta with many of the city's most famous skyscrapers and landmarks in view. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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Today, we're taking another look into New York's past with a trip to 1960 - a year where the city's iconic skyline will be redefined with a number of important new developments, both in Midtown Manhattan, Lower Manhattan, and across the city. Since the 1930s and World War II, much of New York's progress had been halted and the city's famous skyline became frozen in time for a number of years - but due in part to the improved economy and the rise of the popular international building style, a new wave of construction hit the city in the 50s and 60s. Our look at New York in 1960 begins with a trip to Lower Manhattan - where the city's iconic skyline is starting to rise once again since a huge building boom throughout the 1920s and early 1930s. The most prominent of these early skyscrapers is the 60 story, 813 ft tall One Chase Manhattan Plaza. Built from from 1957-1961 (seen here under construction in early 1960), this modern skyscraper redefined the look of Manhattan's Financial District. For the next sight, we'll be taking a typical nighttime look at some of New York's residential areas in the 1960s - here with a view of the Bronx in early 1960. In the top of the scene, you can see a view of the elevated Third Avenue Line - which had been running since 1878. By 1960 however, it was well into it's decline and eventually was completely dismantled by the end of the 1970s. Large scale projects and highway construction started popping up across the city in the 50s and 60s - and you can see some of the recently completed projects in the lower half of the image. We head back into the heart of Midtown Manhattan now for a look at new developments throughout 1960 - and Park Avenue is at the center of the city's new construction wave. Here we see a nighttime view of the famed avenue in Spring 1960. Throughout the course of 1960, great progress is made on one of Midtown's most recognizable buildings of this era - the Pan Am Building. As the 808 ft tall international & brutalist styled skyscraper begins to rise, it begins attracting plenty of criticism from locals for both "severing" the iconic Park Avenue streetscape (the building sits directly in the middle of the famed avenue), and for blocking views from some of the city's most popular observation decks. Despite the complaints, the building is finally completed in 1963 as one of New York's largest high rises. Further down Park Avenue (and on a much smaller scale) another office building is completed - but this time, to a much different reaction. The 11-story Pepsi-Cola Building, also known as 500 Park Avenue, was designed by Gordon Bunshaft and Natalie de Blois of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) opened in February 1960 and had one of the most unique and renowned designs along Park Avenue during this era. Designed in the International Style with a curtain wall made of glass and aluminum, it had a distinctive overhang which gave it a floating appearance over Park Avenue. Over the years, it's been the headquarters of Pepsi-Cola, John Hancock Mutual Insurance, Olivetti, Equitable Life, and more - and eventually gained landmark status in 1995 in part due to it's innovative design. The tour concludes with a look at another one New York's most notable early 1960's skyscrapers - the Union Carbide Building. Also designed by Natalie de Blois and Gordon Bunshaft, this 52 story, 708 ft tall international-styled skyscraper broke ground in 1957 and opened in April 1960 as the headquarters of Union Carbide - and eventually Manufacturers Hanover Trust and JPMorgan Chase. Noted for being the world's tallest skyscraper designed by a female architect for over 50 years, it's sleek design (similarly to the nearby Seagram Building) helped to further popularize the International style in New York and across the globe. It wasn't enough however to save it from demolition in 2019 to make room for the new 1,388 ft tall JP Morgan Chase Building - setting a record for the world's tallest intentionally demolished building. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
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After taking a look at Tokyo's impressive modern skyline earlier in the year - we return to Tokyo in today's update for a historical look at this iconic city. We'll be viewing some of Tokyo's most noteworthy sights in the year 1915 - which was during an era where the city's center and outskirts saw great growth and big changes to it's infrastructure and streetscapes. We'll begin with a trip to central Ginza - with a look at the recently rebuilt Kabuki-za, one of the city's most beautiful structures. Designed by Tashichi Kashiwagi, it served as the city's principal theatre for the traditional Kabuki drama and was one of Tokyo's most popular spots for entertainment. The early 1900s also saw some of the first cars on Tokyo's streets - and the introduction of mass transit in the late 19th century with streetcars (pictured below), train lines, subways, and buses made transportation as convenient as ever and forever changed the ways the city's residents lived and worked. These changes along with an improved economy during the Meiji era helped to bring huge population growth to Tokyo - and the city's population more than doubled from 1900 to 1920. Here we see an overview of central Ginza in late 1918. A look at the Kabuki-za and the surrounding district of Ginza at nighttime. Around this time, the city's electrical infrastructure saw big improvements as well and crowded power lines were now a common sight above the streets - which meant the city could finally come to life at nighttime. 1915 saw the first full year of operation for one of the city's most iconic structures that still stands today - Tokyo Station. Located in central Marunouchi near the Imperial Palace grounds, it was designed by Kingo Tatsuno (1854—1919), the father of modern Japanese architecture and remains as a historical building today, representing the style of western buildings in the Meiji (1868—1912) and Taisho (1912—26) periods. With four platforms supporting two electric trains (current Yamanote/Keihin–Tohoku Line platforms) and two non-electric trains (current Tokaido Line platforms), the station would serve as a vital transportation link for central Tokyo and would see numerous renovations and expansions throughout the years. Tokyo's railroads would also see plenty of other improvements during this era as well, and many smaller railway stations were built and renovated throughout the year to further improve the city's railway infrastructure. Here we see a typical scene showcasing a railroad station and a surrounding industrial area in Tokyo's suburbs. Here we see another common sight from Tokyo's outskirts during the early 1900s - a steam locomotive on the Tokaido Main Line. Our trip into the past concludes with another scene from Tokyo's outskirts, along the city's rural border with Okutama. This scenic area of Tokyo is noted for it's natural beauty - but during the early 1900s, the city's expanding metropolitan area meant that more and more of these natural areas would soon see human activity and development. Rice paddies, small farming plots, water wheels, dirt roads, and traditional Japanese housing were now all usual sights - dramatically changing the look of the city's surrounding countryside. Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! -korver
