The new spatial features in SQL Server Code-Named “Denali” CTP1 represent a significant milestone in the evolution of SQL Server spatial data support. New features include support for full globe spatial objects and circular arcs on the ellipsoid, industry firsts for relational database systems. The geography data type has achieved parity relative to the function and variety of methods that support the geometry data type. Overall performance, from spatial indexes to methods, has been significantly increased. These and other improvements to promise a significant step forward in spatial prowess of the next generation of SQL Server.

Please read the details on these new features here: