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Europe at night. Satellite image of the Earth at night, set against a background of stars, centred on the continent of Europe. North is at top. City lights (yellow) show areas of dense population. Europe's highest population concentration is in the Netherlands (centre left). Paris and Madrid are clearly visible, along with large cities in the UK, Germany, Italy and on the densely populated Mediterranean coast. In contrast, Eastern Europe is less well developed. The Sahara Desert (lower centre) and the Arctic (top) are uninhabited. India (lower right) and part of Canada (upper left) are also seen. Image data obtained in 2001 by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/NASA/NOAA)