This page offers a selection of links to useful mapping websites, suppliers and journal articles. If you would like to suggest a link, please get in touch.
Mapping our Globe - Links & Further Reading
A PDF template of the Eckert IV projection, recommended in the National Curriculum, is available to download below:
Eckert IV Equal Area Map Projection
(553k)
note: this file requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you do not have this you can get it free from the Adobe website.
Map Projections
Finding an accurate map - BBC feature page on projections
University of Colorado - map projection principles and examples
National Geographic - includes viewer to compare different projections, activities and (US) lesson plan
Buckminster Fuller's unusual dymaxion map
Mapping our World - Oxfam's award-winning interactive resource for kids on map projections.
Earthmapping
Flash Earth – simple, quick site
Google Earth – if you haven't got it already, you should!
Google Maps - online mapping
Mapquest - atlas style maps with country summaries
National Geographic online atlas
NASA Worldwind - satellite zoom plus 3D topography
Worldmapper - more than 100 world maps, with countries shown in proportion to each theme
Online local area mapping
Multimap - postcode or place name mapping linked to aerial photos
Google Maps - detailed online mapping
Homecheck - postcode-based: environmental and other data
What's in your backyard? - Environment agency site focused on river and environmental quality
AA Routeplanner - plan routes and find distances starting from postcodes or place names.
Neighbourhood Statistics - detailed data for your local area, with simple maps.
New Popular Edition Maps - see what the country looked like in the 1940s
Other Links
British Cartographic Society - good source of information about maps and mapmaking
GIS - information and links related to GIS
OS Education - mapzone for kids, resources, free maps
Anquet Maps - see landscapes and follow routes in 3D: downloadable to PC, pocket PC and Smart Phone
About: Geography - good source of outline/printable maps
National Geographic - printable continent/country maps
Graphic Maps - clip art images and outline maps, flags etc.
GeoResources outline maps
ODT - although this commercial site plugs Peters map, it has views and commentary on some interesting projections
Cassini Maps - historical maps of England, Wales & Edinburgh which have been re-formatted to match OS Landrangers. You can also use the Cassini Mapmaker service to select any A4 or A3 area you want by town name or postcode.
Mapping Worlds - how are the 6.5 billion people of this world faring? What are the differences in development and wealth? Which countries weigh in on which issues, which markets emerge? Mapping Worlds helps to present and clarify world affairs.
GISnet - a Guide to Unusual Maps on the Web.
Directory Journal: Cartographic resources on the web - a brief history of cartography and a good selection of links.
Stockists
The following companies stock a range of maps, atlases and globes:
Atlas Jigsaw Maps
The Future Mapping Company (visit website for list of stockists or buy online
Quality Globes 01707 663090
Times Atlases
TTS Group 0800 318 686
Wildgoose 01530 518568
Further Reading
Here is a selection of age-based articles by the author of this text, David R Wright. A more detailed list of articles can be downloaded at the foot of the page.
FOR TEACHERS OF AGES 5-7
'Globe-trotters: taking Geography into the Third Dimension'. Child Education, June 2003, pp.48-49
FOR TEACHERS OF AGES 7-11
'Snip, Stretch & Squash the Globe'. Primary Geographer 48, Oct. 2002, pp.14-16
'Understanding our 3D globe'. Primary Geographer 53, Jan 2004, pp.40-42.
FOR TEACHERS OF AGES 11-18
'Questioning world maps'. Teaching Geography, 28, 4, Oct 2003, pp174-176
'Making sense of world maps'. Mapping News 27, (Ordnance Survey) Winter 2004, pp27-28
FOR READING BY STUDENTS AGE 16-18 / 18-21
'Three-dimensional Geography'. Geography Review, 17/3, January 2004, pp.18-20
'Making the round world flat'. Geography Review, 20/4, March 2007, pp24-27
FOR INTERNATIONAL READERSHIP (and for in-service courses etc)
'World maps in Geographical Education: a traditional yet radical agenda'. (Journal of) International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education Guest Editorial, 12/1, 2003, pages1-5.
Download a more detailed list of articles by the author.
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