The above photo is a false-color image taken from the Landsat 7 satellite in 2000. The Lena River Delta is frozen most of the year but, during the summer, thaws into an enormous wetland complex of about 11,000 square miles. It’s a wildlife refuge.

The Lena River flows into the Laptev Sea, on the north coast of Russia.

Here’s a view of the Lena River Delta taken near the ground.

Photo source: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Wired Science has a gallery of other rivers observed from satellites and the International Space Station. Just click on the thumbnails or some impressive views.

Tip: Ike Union and his grandpa.