The project had a neural network classify a whopping 11.5 billion satellite images (64x64 pixels each) based on training data from roughly 1 million pictures -- it could tell where people lived based on the presences of buildings in each frame. When combined with census data and some verification, Facebook could identify 110 million home locations within a matter of days, skipping areas they knew were uninhabited.

It's not a complete picture of the continent, and Facebook has some ways to go before it can map Earth. More countries are coming, though, and covering much of a continent is notable by itself. Facebook is already eager to tout success with its population maps in countries like Malawi and Tanzania, where it helped supply vaccinations and more reliable electricity to rural areas. The new data could magnify those efforts and ensure that even the most remote communities get the assistance they need.