The New World (Part II)
Stephen Del Vecchio -- School Library Journal, 5/1/1998
Senior High and Up
Grades 10 and Over
National Geographic Atlas of the World Revised Sixth Edition.
National Geographic.413p. 1292181/49. 1995. $90. ISBN 079223038.
This is a gorgeous atlas and a remarkable bargain. Especially outstanding are its large physical maps of the continents and ocean floors. The main drawbacks are that it does not quite match the overall level of detail of the Times Ninth Comprehensive Edition (though it comes close to the New International Atlas). This is particularly true in the area of land contour details--it has no hypsometric tints, only relief shading. Furthermore, the indexes in the two other atlases provide the latitude and longitude for each entry, while the National Geographic gives only the map grid reference. The scales used also vary much more than the others (see "Scouting Expedition," p. 42). That's because National Geographic gives each map the scale the cartographer thinks works best, regardless of scales used for other maps.
The New International Atlas 25th Anniversary Edition.
Rand McNally. 560p. 1192143/49. 1998 revised edition. $150. ISBN 0528838083.
Rand McNally's New International Atlas and the Times Ninth Comprehensive Edition are the best single-volume world reference atlases available in English. Just the amount of cartographic information in the Rand McNally is impressive. Coverage of different geographic areas is very fairly balanced, while the depth of detail--a 170,000-entry index, for instance--is superb. (Only the Times exceeds it.) The New International's maps are remarkably clear and easy to read given their wealth of detail. Unlike the Times, Rand McNally shows elevation with shaded relief in addition to hypsometric tints (see "Scouting Expedition," p. 42). This creates a more naturalistic appearance but your preference is a matter of taste. (Without shaded relief, the Times elevation contours are easier to read and conveyed in more detail, but the maps look more like maps and less like idealized aerial photographs.) The explanatory material in the Rand McNally is minimal but sufficient. The atlas's straightforward, logical organization is clearly explained in the foreword. A graphic index aids in quick location of maps. The comprehensive index makes excellent use of symbols to distinguish among features, and provides latitudes and longitudes. The book itself is very large, which means the maps are satisfyingly large, as well. The paper should stand up well to heavy use. In its favor, compared to the Times, this revision of the New International is almost up-to-the-minute, an advantage that it of course will lose when the Times is revised. A more clear advantage in some settings is the New International's truly international character. Most of the text is provided in five languages, and there is an extensive glossary of geographical terms in more than 50 languages. The New International Atlas is a joy to use and worth serious consideration for any reference collection.
The Times Atlas of the World Concise Edition, Seventh Edition.
Times Books. 324p. 105/892141/29. 1995. $100. ISBN 0812926048.
This is not simply an abridged version of its older sibling, the Times Ninth Comprehensive Edition. Of course, the Concise Edition doesn't have the same detail as the larger atlas. But it does contain a remarkably well chosen and detailed set of maps. The physical quality and design is second only to that of the Times Comprehensive. The maps lay almost perfectly flat when the atlas it opened and a clear gap is provided whenever a map runs across the gutter, ensuring no loss of information. The paper stock is ideal: heavy, tear-resistant, non-absorbent, and non-reflective. There are a few flaws: the information in the beautiful new metropolitan maps is not in the index, and the ocean floor maps are disappointing compared to the stunning ones in the National Geographic. But overall this atlas is a delight to the mind and senses and the best of the group behind Rand McNally and Times.
The Times Atlas of the World Ninth Comprehensive Edition.
Times Books. 218p. 121/492189. 1994. $175. ISBN 0812920775.
The Times Comprehensive is one of the two best single-volume world reference atlases available in English. Of the two, the Times holds the lead in depth of cartographic information. The explanatory material is comprehensive, with the section on map projections particularly valuable and detailed. It is written, however, at a senior high school level or higher. Overall organization is clear and logical. The graphical indexes make locating maps easy. That, plus the thoroughly cross-referenced, 200,000-entry index, makes the Times a model of easy access to an unsurpassed volume of information. The maps are very large, printed on heavy stock with a satiny feel. They flow across the two-page spreads in muted shades of blue, pale greens, and cream, breaking out of the borders when necessary. The detail in these 2*211/2* plates is astonishing, drawing the viewer closer and closer to examine yet another peak, village, or headland. The absence of shaded relief contributes to the level of detail, while the hypsometric and bathymetric tints give finer, more comprehensive detail of elevation and depth than any other single-volume world atlas. This work is a model of what a reference atlas should be: a collection of beautiful, detailed maps supported by a superb set of indexes.
FACTS ON FILE |
These are not standard atlases, but they're included because it's hard, if not impossible, to get a usable photocopy of a map from a reference atlas--certainly not without risking damage to the atlas's binding in the process.
Also, as you probably know, it's almost always illegal to make multiple copies--or multiple CD-ROM printouts--of maps in an atlas. (Most CD-ROM atlases give permission to print out individual maps for personal use.)
A solution to these problems lies in the Facts on File products. The three titles described below all come in a loose-leaf format. Individual leaves are on very heavy stock and should stand up to frequent handling. A reproduction certificate entitles the purchaser to photocopy any of the materials for nonprofit, educational, or private use.
Geography on File.
Facts on File. 312p. 81/292119 1997. $165. loose-leaf. ISBN 0816034559.
Geography on File is intended to complement Maps on File, so duplication between the two is minimal. Where Maps focuses on countries and, to a lesser extent, continents, Geography covers a wide range of topics in physical and human geography by region of the world. The easily reproducible sheets contain the same sort of information you'd find in the front sections and appendices of standard atlases: thematic, maps, population, age pyramids, charts, graphs, and statistical tables. Topics covered range from population densities to agricultural products to fertilizer use and irrigation.
Maps on File.
Facts on File. 592p. two volumes. 81/292119. 1997. $195. loose-leaf. ISBN 0816036683. (1998 update available in July. $45. ISBN 0816038171.)
This includes maps of almost every country, as well as more than 200 thematic maps. The country maps show major cities, borders, the names of bordering states or countries, major rivers and roads, a north indicator, and a scale of miles and kilometers. The thematic maps display economic, demographic, political, and climatological information. Some drawbacks: the maps vary a great deal in their level of detail. Also, because scale is never given as a representative fraction (e.g., 1: 2,500,000), it's difficult to compare maps. As the small, 5,000-entry index implies, this set is of minimal value as a reference atlas.
Outline Maps on File.
Facts on File. 276p. 32p. color atlas. 81/292119. 1997. $165. loose-leaf. ISBN 0816034761.
The title says it all. These maps include only national or state borders and major physical features, none of which are labeled. Maps cover most countries of the world, all 50 U.S. states, and the Canadian provinces. The final section contains world and regional outline maps.
CD-ROM ATLASES |
Upper Elementary Through High School
Cartopedia: The Ultimate World Reference Atlas Version 1.0.
Dorling Kindersley. 1995. $64.99. ISBN 0789400456. Windows 3.1 or later. Printable.
Like most CD-ROM atlases, Cartopedia is presented as a full-fledged world reference atlas. But, in fact, the depth of information in its maps is more what one would expect of a good children's atlas. Cartopedia indexes about 20,000 places, well below the minimum--about 30,000--for a good basic reference atlas. The maps are attractive, if not particularly detailed, and of the CD-ROM atlases, Cartopedia's interface is the easiest to use. The legibility of the maps and design of the interface make this a good choice for children up to grades three or four. Above that level, it could only be considered a browsing title, unsuitable for reference use.
Compton's Interactive World Atlas 1997 Edition Version 1.0.
Compton's New Media/Softkey. 1996. $49.95. ISBN 0763003573. Windows 3.1 or later. Printable.
Compton's has entertaining features--the ability to simulate 3-D flights, for instance--but it disappoints as a reference atlas. The index seems no larger than Cartopedia's and is awkward to use. The maps are unattractive and sometimes hard to read. Compton's is unsuitable for reference use.
Encarta Virtual Globe 1998 Edition.
Microsoft. 1997. $54.95 ISBN 1572317779. Windows 95 or Windows NT. Printable.
The Encarta Virtual Globe combines an impressive amount of geographic data with an interface that's unusually elegant and easy to use. Encarta does not quite match Rand McNally's New Millennium in terms of raw detail, beauty, and customizability. But it comes close. Moreover, Encarta's maps load a bit more quickly than New Millennium's. And it beats New Millennium with its interactive features. One of these, "World Flights," lets users fly over digitized terrain. These features, along with well-chosen photos, graphs, statistical information, text, and animations make Encarta a delight to browse. But they are still not the key elements of a reference atlas.
Global Explorer Version 1.0.
DeLorme Mapping. 1993. $59. ISBN 0899339522. Windows 3.1 or DOS 4.01 or higher. Printable.
When it came out in 1993, Global Explorer was probably the best CD-ROM atlas available. Unfortunately, it is now showing its age. The maps are much less attractive and customizable than those in New Millennium and the Encarta Virtual Globe. While still impressive for its amount of detail, Global Explorer does not match either Rand McNally or Microsoft's offerings in that area, either. It also fails to include the two tools essential to a good CD-ROM atlas: a measuring tool and a latitude and longitude indicator. The interface is generally easy to use, but printing out a map is complicated. In its favor, it is much faster than most CD-ROM atlases. Although dated and disappointing, the combination of speed and detail make you wonder what Global Explorer would be like if the interface and content were brought up to date.
Hammond Atlas of the World CD-ROM.
Hammond. 1997. $49.95. ISBN 0843796006. Available with print Hammond Atlas of the World. $85. ISBN 0843711701. Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or Windows NT. Printable.
This is certainly worth purchasing with the print version, if only for the print capabilities, but it's otherwise disappointing. The indexing is not as reliable or comprehensive as the print version, nor are the maps as attractive and detailed. This is not a first choice as a stand-alone CD-ROM atlas.
Macmillan Digital World Atlas Version 2.0.
Macmillan.1996. $29.54. ISBN 1575950030. Available with print Macmillan World Atlas. $74.99. ISBN 1575950219. Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or Macintosh System 7.0.1 or higher. Printable.
This is essentially part of the print Macmillan World Atlas on a disk. It shares with Hammond's CD-ROM the drawbacks of an index that is far less reliable and easy-to-use than the one in the print edition as well as maps that are less attractive and less informative. Like the Hammond, it is worth considering for purchase with the print Macmillan. But it is not the best choice for a stand-alone CD-ROM reference atlas.
Mindscape World Atlas and Almanac Version 6.
Mindscape. 1995. $35. ISBN 0791124372. Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or Macintosh OS 7.0 or higher. Printable.
Despite clearer maps and a more straightforward search function than Compton's, Mindscape is not much better. In some cases it is worse. Many physical features are named but not identified. This, combined with the lack of a legend, can be confusing. Navigating between different areas and functions is also awkward. Mindscape contain a wealth of statistical data, but even that is not presented well.
Mindscape U.S. Atlas and Almanac Version 6.
Mindscape. 1995. $35. ISBN. 0791123510. Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or Macintosh OS 7.0 or higher. Printable.
This is similar to the Mindscape World Atlas and Almanac, except that it covers U.S. states. It does not include Puerto Rico or any other U.S. territories or possessions.
New Millennium World Atlas Deluxe.
Rand McNally. 1998. $44.95. ISBN 0528520547. Windows 95 or Windows NT. Printable.
Among CD-ROM atlases, the New Millennium is unmatched in terms of its depth of detail, its astounding degree of customizability, and its elegant, intuitive interface. These qualities make the New Millennium the first choice among CD-ROM atlases for reference use. In addition to sharing a wealth of useful features with the Encarta Virtual Globe --for measuring distances, determining latitude and longitude, and annotating maps--Rand McNally's CD-ROM is even more up-to-date. The maps are supplemented with a well-chosen selection of photographs, music, and statistics. Topping it all off is the beauty of the maps themselves, which even approach some of the better print atlases.
3D Atlas 98 Version 3.0.
Creative Wonders. 1997. $29.95. No ISBN. Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or Macintosh OS 7.5 or higher. Printable.
An awkward interface, lack of a single comprehensive index, lack of detail, and general poor quality of maps render this atlas unsuitable for reference use and only moderately interesting for browsing.
3D Talking Globe: The See and Hear Atlas Gazetteer Version 1.3.
Small Blue Planet Series. Now What Software. 1996. $34.95. ISBN 1882807189. Windows 3.1 or higher or Macintosh OS 7.0 or higher.
3D Talking Globe has a clean design and easy-to-use interface. These qualities, combined with a fast, comprehensive index, give this title promise. But it has a fatal flaw as a reference atlas: the index and interface both provide access to only one world map of very limited detail--so limited, in fact, that many places in the index do not appear on the map. This title is not suitable for reference use. But the entire Small Blue Planet series makes for very nice browsing if you like satellite and aerial photographs.
Virgin's One World Atlas.
Virgin Sound and Vision. 1994. $34.95. ISBN Unavailable. Windows 3.1 (patch required for Windows 95).
This title has nothing to recommend it for either browsing or reference. It is plagued by a slow, awkward interface; a sloppy, slow, inaccurate index; barely legible text; and simplistic maps. Its companion title, Virgin's One Tribe: The Ultimate Multimedia Atlas, is a repackaging of the same mediocre content with a full-motion video guide and more interesting music.
End
Back to Part I of this article.
