What characterizes a true orthophoto?

A true orthophoto is defined by its representation of the earth's surface where all objects are depicted as if viewed from directly above, eliminating perspective distortion. This ensures that measurements taken from the image correspond accurately to the real-world coordinates. In a true orthophoto, features such as buildings and trees appear in their true geographical locations, as the image has been geometrically corrected to remove any effects caused by terrain relief or camera angle.

This characteristic enables the orthophoto to be used effectively in mapping, urban planning, and other applications where accurate spatial measurements are critical. The geometric correction process converts the photo into a uniform scale, contributing to its utility in GIS analyses, where precision in location and size is paramount. Thus, the true orthophoto serves as a reliable base map for further geographic inquiries.