Creating new maps is of global importance. The ones that were made years ago now pose limited practicality. Just imagine if you wanted to visit the former Soviet Union and you were not in possession of the latest travel guides. You would not know which city airport was closest to your desired destination or how to plan your itinerary. Today, thanks to advances in technology, a new generation of atlases has emerged.

By flying airplanes and pointing laser rays over mountains and rivers, cartographers can now provide clearer data. They’re using the newest invention for charting improved maps. The information they gather not only helps in plotting the new drawings; it assists scientists restore endangered animal habitats and prevents the loss of many species such as that of salmon.

"Lidar" or the "airborne laser," as it’s known, is more precise than older technologies. It’s like comparing your telescope to the Hubble. This is the latest advancement for improving topographical cartography.

The way "Lidar" works is simply astounding. As beams of light bounce off flora, water and rock formations, it transmits signals back to a main power machine. The device makes all the mathematical calculations; it performs in-depth analytical studies of factors such as the type of vegetation in the area, the water’s depth levels and even the curvature and sharpness of the boulders. The data is so accurate that it can determine the angle or degree of inclination of a stream’s slope. It can give biologists the needed statistics to decide whether a river is apt for supporting additional or new marine life.

Though immensely useful, Lidar is still in its infant stages and needs to be perfected. It’s however becoming very popular. As of today, only the state of Connecticut has been portrayed on maps with the use of this apparatus. Other government entities are slowly coming on board and are beginning to appreciate its uses.

Any time new items are introduced, people tread lightly. When the I.D scanner was developed, only a handful of night club owners saw its utility. Now, it’s the most widely used gadget for verifying someone’s age and identity.