National Geographic Society "Classic" Political Maps of the World

View titles

National Geographic Society’s “Classic” political maps of the world, with the publisher’s characteristic lay-out providing an attractive alternative to the more conventional world maps, countries in white but defined by different colour borders and a wealth of additional information. The maps are available in three different sizes, presented on paper, encapsulated, or framed. The standard size is also available either Atlantic or Pacific centred.

Subtle relief shading is added to show the topography. Peak heights on land are given in feet, ocean depths are shown in metres. The coastline of the Antarctic is particularly vividly presented. Within USA and Canada internal state and provincial boundaries are marked.

The maps provide a lot of information often not included on political maps of the world. On oceans arrows indicate direction of the prevailing winds, as well as of hot and cold currents, many with names. Four insets show the Arctic and the Antarctic, plus vegetation/land use and population density world maps.

Clocks show time difference from GMT (but without the maps indicating the exact geographical area covered by each time zone). The maps also provide a list of 10 largest countries by area and by populations. Projection is Winkel Tripel, which reduces distortion of land masses as they near the poles.

Please note:
The two larger sizes are simply enlargements of the standard version, with larger print and more spectacular overall effect, but without additional cities or other information.