The views from the edge - ten great 360 degree photographs

Since the first 360-degree panoramic vista was made by painter Robert Barker of Blip's HQ - the city of Edinburgh in the 18th Century, 360 degree panoramic images have been done time and time again - admittedly technology has improved somewhat since then. But sometimes a new vantage point pops along that really makes you think "wow"!

This panorama is from the very top of London's newest addition to its skyline, The Shard - Europe's tallest building. And what a view it is. Take a peek

The view from the Shard may be amazing, but here are ten of our favourite 360 degree panorama photographs from around the world.

This 80-gigapixel panoramic photo, made from 7886 individual images was the largest 360 degree panorama when it was taken in 2010. This panorama was shot from the top of the Centre Point building in central London, in the summer of 2010.

A stunning aerial panorama from above New York's Manhattan. Shot back in 2007, it was the first ever virtual tour from above the city. It's still one of the best we have seen.

A very different vista of the city that never sleeps this time. Shot from a window of the Millenium Hotel in Manhattan, this panorama was just as technically difficult, shooting out of a window with long exposures in the darkness.

Nature's landscapes are even more stunning than those that man created and in March of 2011, Dima Moiseenko flew to Venezuela to shoot Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall.

From the world's highest waterfall to its highest mountain. This photo of the world's most famous mountain allows users to explore the Himalayan range surrounding Everest, including Base Camp.

The largest indoor photo in existance is this 40-gigapixel image of a beautiful 18th century monastery library in Prague. The image was created from 3,000 individual photos stitched together into a single image that is 280,000 x 140,000 pixels. If you printed this photo it would be 78 feet long!

And... from a monastery to a cathedral. Or a place of worship, at least. Especially if you are blue in your persuasions... Showing off their new-found wealth, English football club Manchester City commissioned a 360 degrees, 5 billion pixel ultra high resolution picture of its Etihad Stadium... And encouraged fans at the game to tag themselves.

Hong Kong - apparently it's the city where dreams come true. From this 360 image, we can see why... and see everything else too, for that matter.

This what Budapest looks like in 70 Billion Pixel detail.

Machu Picchu is one of the most awe-inspiring destinations of the world... But if you can be there, the second best experience might be this 360 degrees panoramic image of the ancient site. Wow.