Between them, overhead satellite images and Street View photos tend to provide Google Maps users with a pretty complete picture of an area.  But – following in Bing’s footsteps – Google began to offer 45° imagery last year, and today, Google introduced images of ten new areas.

Miss the initial announcement?  45° imagery is about the same as what Bing Maps labeled a "Bird’s Eye" view: just a diagonal, rather than straight-down, look at buildings and landscapes.  It’s not available even close to everywhere yet, but you can find the option under the "Satellite" tab when 45° pics have been taken.

As for what’s new, people who live in or plan to visit California should be pleased to hear that there’s coverage of Contra Costa County, Escondido, Long Beach, and Van Nuys.

Otherwise, fresh pictures are available of Albuquerque, NM, New Orleans, LA, Norfolk, VA (example above), San Antonio, TX, St. Petersburg, FL, and Tucson, AZ.

A post on the LatLong Blog stated, "We wish you well as you embark on your virtual trips around the U.S. viewing these and other interesting sites.  And stay tuned because there’s plenty more to come in 2011!"