NLS orthophotos
NLS Orthophotos are an aerial photo dataset covering the whole of Finland. An orthophoto is a combination of several individual aerial photos. The geometry of the orthophotos corresponds to a map.
The aerial photo data set in orthophoto format is available as
- the most recent data set consisting of the most recent aerial photos available. The most recent data is usually 1–3 years old.
- old aerial photos, consisting of data sets that are older than the most recent data set. The oldest aerial photos were taken in the 1930s. New data is added to the data set continuously.
NLS Orthophotos are updated every 3 years (in Northern Lapland 12 years).
Different versions of orthophoto products:
- Ortophoto
- Ortophoto, false colour
- Ortophoto, forest ortho
- Ortophoto, natural disasters
In addition, there is an index map available presenting the year, when the newest photo was taken in each square.
The product belongs to the open data of the National Land Survey of Finland.
Purpose:
Orthophotos are utilized for mapping and also for planning and monitoring the environment. Colour or black-and-white orthophotos are suitable for planning or as background material for various map presentations. False colour orthopohotos and forest orthos are best suitable for, e.g. forest inventory.
Geographic location
Entire Finland
Reference system
ETRS89 / TM35FIN(E,N) (EPSG:3067)
Pixel size
0.5 m
Spatial representation
Raster
Data content
Product versionsFilm, black-and-white
Pixel size 0.5 metres.
Normal size 10,000 x 10,000 pixels (general map-sheet division, KKJ).
Normal size 12,000 x 12,000 pixels (TM35 map-sheet division, ETRS-TM35FIN) consists of a maximum of 256 different greyscale values (8 bit).
Film, false colour
Pixel size 0.5 m.
Normal size 10,000 x 10,000 pixels (general map-sheet division, KKJ).
Normal size 12,000 x 12,000 pixels (TM35 map-sheet division, ETRS-TM35FIN) consists of three colour channels (near-IR, red, green).
Each colour channel contains a maximum of 256 different shade values (8 bit).
Digital, colour
Pixel size 0.5 m.
Normal size 12,000 x 12,000 pixels (TM35 map-sheet division, ETRS-TM35FIN) consists of three colour channels (red, green, blue).
Each colour channel contains a maximum of 256 different shade values (8 bit).
Digital, false colour
Pixel size 0.5 m.
Normal size 12,000 x 12,000 pixels (TM35 map-sheet division, ETRS-TM35FIN) consists of three colour channels (near-IR, red, green).
Each colour channel contains a maximum of 256 different shade values (8 bit).
Maintenance
Maintenance
New colour and false colour images are taken every three years, except for North Lapland, which is photographed approximately every 12 years. Aerial photography plans can be seen on the status map https://tilannekartta.maanmittauslaitos.fi/ilmakuva
In addition, product called Ortophoto (forest ortho) is available. The product is similar to Ortophoto (false colour), but colours have been adjusted in order to perceive coniferous and deciduous forests better.
Other product versions are not updated.
The index map of old aerial photos can be seen in Paikkatietoikkuna https://paikkatietoikkuna.fi/historiallisetilmakuvat
The most up-to-date data is available in the interface and viewing services (see Distribution and further information).
The updating status varies by feature depending on the progress of updating.
Quality information
Lineage
NLS Orthophotos is the only set of aerial photographs that covers the whole of Finland.
Starting from 2009, orthophotos are also available in colour and false colour format. The coordinate reference system used in the photo shoots until 2007 was KKJ, i.e. the national grid coordinate system (zones of the coordinate reference system). As of 2008, the coordinate reference system used in aerial photos has been ETRS89/TM35FIN.
The accuracy of an orthophoto depends on the sensor used in aerial photography, the photographing altitude and the elevation model used in producing the orthophoto. The elevation model has the biggest influence on the geometrical accuracy of the photo. The positional accuracy of an orthophoto is 0.5–2 metres.
The product can be printed out on scale ranging from 1:1 000.
Distribution and further information
Responsible party
National Land Survey of Finland
Conditions applying to access and use
Mention the name of the Licensor (the National Land Survey of Finland), the name of the dataset(s) and the time when the National Land Survey has delivered the dataset(s) (e.g.: contains data from the National Land Survey of Finland Topographic Database 06/2014).
Distribution format
Tiff (tfw)
Distribution channels
Further information
The metadata of the orthophotos is provided by request.
Pricing
Processing fees for NLS orthophotos
| Product | Price € (excl. VAT) | Price € (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
|
77103010030
Orthophoto, first photo (max 6 km * 6 km)
|
101,21 | 127,02 |
|
77103010031
Orthophoto, following photos
|
17,34 | 21,76 |
|
77103010032
Orthophoto, entire Finland
|
3465,00 | 4 348,58 |
|
77103010033
Orthophoto, all photos from one year
|
1732,50 | 2 174,29 |
Not based on a decree