Modern Information on remote geographic features

Hi all,

I’ve noticed that information on remote geographic features is becoming more readily available – mostly via the internet. I'm sure many others have seen this too

Years ago if you read of some faraway outback place from the history books you would have to research, go to the library and spend considerable time at it to find the information you were after. Even in the early days to mid years of the modern internet, remote feature details information was fairly light on.

Now, if you have a good read of some outback adventure somewhere, you only have to look up mentioned interesting features on the net, and the chances are that there will be some information on what you seek.

It is getting easier now to plan a trip based on features that you want to see. As a consequence, you can spend more time seeing extra features, with the benefit of forgoing the time needed to search and seek your targets. Even Google Earth (and its derivatives) provide an edge in this regard.

So where does all this lead to? I wonder how long before almost all known features are mapped and there will be no more researching required?

I’m interested if this alters the average tourists traveling requirements? With less time spent researching does this expand the need to see, and provide the time for the traveler to spend more time seeing additional features?

Cheers
Alan