Earth observations taken from Space Shuttle Columbia during STS-78 mission

STS078-752-050 (20 June - 7 July 1996) --- A large portion of southeastern France is depicted in this view. The pictured area extends from the port of Marseilles northeastward over the Alps to Lake Geneva in the upper right hand corner. Marseilles is the second largest city proper (population in 1990 was 807,726) and the largest commercial seaport of France and since 1970 it has rivaled Rotterdam as a transit port for all of Europe. It is situated on the Mediterranean's Gulf of Lion within a semicircle of limestone hills. Settled by Greeks from Asia Minor during the 7th century BC, Marseilles is the oldest of France's major cities.