Microsoft today announced the release of the thirteenth free Microsoft Flight Simulator World Update, which this time enriches different areas of Oceania and Antarctica with more detailed and realistic content.

Here is the information on the new update, followed by a trailer and a set of images that show us all the news.

Explore some of Earth's most exotic regions with World Update XIII

Microsoft Flight Simulator is excited to enrich the beauty of the simulator with fascinating new landscapes. Known as both a continent and a geographical region, straddling the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Hemispheres, Oceania is made up of remote coral islands, long stretches of white-sand beaches, towering volcanoes, vast inland areas of uninhabited rainforest, and populated cities boasting modern architectural wonders. Antarctica is a dream destination for aviators, with adventure, intrigue and endless views of pristine coastlines and inland glacial terrain.

Microsoft Flight Simulator World Update XIII includes Polynesia (Hawaii and Easter Island), Melanesia (Fiji, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Indonesia's West Papua, and Solomon Islands), the Galapagos Islands , and key regions of Antarctica, particularly the Antarctic Peninsula. . The update offers a total of 13 countries and 28 non-sovereign territories, many of them with improved resolution that will allow pilots to experience breathtaking new views in these regions. The update is based on the latest aerial photographs, satellite imagery and digital elevation modelling data. There is an updated elevation field for Hawaii and features the city of Honolulu with dozens of handmade buildings.

Our Orbx partner team also created 150 Points of Interest (POIs) across the region, including:

• Four sets of Moai monoliths on Easter Island
• The Autograph Tower, the tallest building in Indonesia and the southern hemisphere.
• A number of Antarctic research bases, including McMurdo Station, Scott Base and Davis Station.
• Point Venus Lighthouse in Tahiti

Orbx has also produced more than a dozen handmade launch airports , some of which will entice adventurous STOL (short take-off and landing) aviators to test their mettle, including:

• A collection of dirt airstrips in the highlands of Papua New Guinea
• Easter Island Mataveri International Airport (SCIP)
• Kona Intl Airport, Hawaii (PHKO)
• Nusatupe Airport (AGGN) in the Solomon Islands
• Bora Bora Airport (NTTB) in Polynesia French
• Moorea Airport (NTTM) in Polynesia French

In addition, the Perfect Flight team has developed eleven missions to showcase the best of Oceania. These include five discovery flights:

• The mountains of West Maui with a glider DG Aviation LS8-18
• Tahiti in a Cessna 152
• Tarawa of Kiribati with a Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter
• Mauna Kea in Hawaii with a Diamond Aircraft DA62
• Central Java with a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan.

3 Landing Challenges:

• Nadi International Airport (NFFN) in Fiji with an Airbus A320
• Palmyra Airport (PLPA) on Palmyra Atoll with a Bonanza G36
• Busilmin Airstrip (AYIN) in Papua New Guinea with a CubCrafters XCub

3 excursions:

• Tour of New Caledonia with a Diamond Aircraft DA62
• Challenge in New Guinea with a CubCrafters NXCub
• Aloha Hawaii in a Cessna 172.