orthophoto

Orthophoto

An orthophoto, also known as an orthophotograph or orthoimage, is an aerial photograph that has been geometrically corrected (“orthorectified”) to ensure a uniform scale, similar to a map. Unlike raw aerial images, orthophotos are free from distortions caused by terrain elevation, lens imperfections, and camera tilt, making them accurate for measuring true distances and representing the Earth's surface.

Orthophotos are widely used in the development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GIS software can display these images, enabling users to digitize features, add text annotations, and place geographic symbols such as hospitals, schools, and fire stations.