Earth observation taken by the Expedition 35 crew

ISS035-E-27265 (23 April 2013) --- This detailed photo, taken by one of the Expedition 35 crew members aboard the Earth-orbiting International Space Station, features the metropolitan areas of San Diego, California, USA; and Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Together they form an international conurbation that crosses the USA-Mexico border (white line) at the northern end of the peninsula of Baja California near the city of San Ysidro, CA. Urban and suburban areas appear a light gray, speckled with white rooftops indicating large industrial and commercial buildings and centers. Vegetated areas ? parks, golf courses, and the foothills of nearby mountains ? appear green, in contrast to the tan and dark brown of exposed soils and bedrock in highland areas. The San Diego-Tijuana conurbation also includes the cities of Chula Vista, Carlsbad, San Marcos, National City in the USA; and Tecate, and Rosarito Beach in Mexico. The combined population of the region is approximately 5 million according to 2010 census information from both the USA and Mexico. The city of Coronado, CA, situated on an artificial peninsula across the bay from San Diego, is both a popular beach resort and the location of U.S. Navy air station and training facilities. Point Loma defines the western boundary of San Diego Bay, and is part of the city of San Diego. While the northern half of the Point Loma peninsula hosts various residential communities, the southern half is federal land occupied by US Navy installations, the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and the Cabrillo National Monument that marks the landing of the first European on the west coast of the United States.