Interesting Maps

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Use Map 

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is located just south of Cheney and encompasses over 18,000 acres of land. A map of the visitor use area taken from the U.S.Fish and Wildlife website is posted above. I have spent a significant portion of my life for the last 3 years on locations listed on the map. School, work and my personal life have somewhat co-mingled within the refuge boundaries. I am interested in this map for obvious reasons, but I also enjoy the aesthetics of this particular version.  The makers did a nice job of relating spacial differences through one easy to use graphic image. In this particular instance, I find the correlation between mental pictures and map locations interesting. 






Directions to Camp Cowles Boy Scout Reservation 

I will be spending a bit of time at the Camp Cowles Scout Reservation with my son Cayden, who is a Tiger Cub scout this year. Interestingly enough, this will be my 3rd year attending the camp, but first time actually being a participant in the events as opposed to working at the event. I have helped scouts identify animal sign and made Plaster of Paris animal tracks each year, but will get the added benefit of sleeping in a tent this year. This particular version I found at the Inland Northwest Boy Scout website lacks several key components of a good map (e.g. legend, direction, aesthetics) but does effectively get travelers to their destination. 









The True Size of Africa 

Lastly, more than one map, but a combination of maps drew my attention. I read a story about the true size of Africa being distorted on the majority of maps some time ago, and today's assignment made me think of that article again. I found this series of maps posted at abovetopsecret.com. The top map is what I have always believed to be accurate, but the lower is actually more realistic. I'd love to go into my theories about government propaganda and conspiracy theories, but they might be are listening.