Earth observations taken from shuttle orbiter Atlantis during STS-84 mission

STS084-703-003 (15-24 May 1997) --- Cape Cod extends 105 kilometers (65 miles) into the Atlantic Ocean. To the south of Cape Cod are the islands of Martha's Vineyard (west) and Nantucket (east). The city of Boston can be seen surrounding the bay above the "hook" on Cape Cod. To the south are the cities of New Bedford on Buzzards Bay, and Providence, Rhode Island. The Cape Cod Canal is an artificial waterway that connects Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay. The waterway is 28 kilometers (17.5 miles) and does not contains locks. The canal was built to shorten the distance over water between New York City and Boston. In 1620 the Pilgrims landed at Provincetown, on the upper tip of Cape Cod, before they proceeded to Plymouth.