Google Earth
![](/Images/godic/202501/15/Google_Earth_Pro_7.1.5.1557_OS_X_El_Capitan1148.png")
![Downtown Toronto as seen from a F-16 Fighting Falcon during a simulated flight](/Images/godic/202501/15/Toronto_downtown1148.png")
![Google Earth in Sky Viewing Mode](/Images/godic/202501/15/Google_Earth_Sky1148.png")
![A picture of Mars' landscape.](/Images/godic/202501/15/Google_Earth_Mars1148.png")
Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that was originally called EarthViewer 3D created by Keyhole, Inc, a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) funded company acquired by Google in 2004 (see In-Q-Tel). It maps the Earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite imagery, aerial photography and geographic information system (GIS) onto a 3D globe. It was originally available with three different licenses, but has since been reduced to just two: Google Earth (a free version with limited function) and Google Earth Pro, which is now free (it previously cost $399 a year) and is intended for commercial use. The third original option, Google Earth Plus, has been discontinued.