This image was copied from wikipedia:en. The original description was:

	This file is in the public domain in the United States because it was solely created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted". (See Template:PD-USGov, NASA copyright policy page or JPL Image Use Policy.)
	Warnings: Use of NASA logos, insignia and emblems is restricted per U.S. law 14 CFR 1221. The NASA website hosts a large number of images from the Soviet/Russian space agency, and other non-American space agencies. These are not necessarily in the public domain. Materials based on Hubble Space Telescope data may be copyrighted if they are not explicitly produced by the STScI.[1] See also {{PD-Hubble}} and {{Cc-Hubble}}. The SOHO (ESA & NASA) joint project implies that all materials created by its probe are copyrighted and require permission for commercial non-educational use. [2] Images featured on the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) web site may be copyrighted. [3] The National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) site has been known to host copyrighted content. Its photo gallery FAQ states that all of the images in the photo gallery are in the public domain "Unless otherwise noted."

This true-color image provides a nearly cloud-free look at the South Island of New Zealand. The scene was acquired by NASA’s Terra satellite, on October 23, 2002.
Forested areas are clearly indicated by the very dark green, particularly in the northwest and southwest. The braided Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers can also clearly be seen as they make their way to the east coast on either side of Banks Peninsula.

Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC.

SOURCE: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10881
”The purpose of NASA's Earth Observatory is to provide a freely-accessible publication on the Internet where the public can obtain new satellite imagery and scientific information about our home planet. The focus is on Earth's climate and environmental change. In particular, we hope our site is useful to public media and educators. Any and all materials published on the Earth Observatory are freely available for re-publication or re-use, except where copyright is indicated. We ask that NASA's Earth Observatory be given credit for its original materials.”

Picture prepared for Wikipedia by Adrian Pingstone in November 2003.