Many globes are made to tilt at an angle of 23° to match the actual tilt of the Earth. Incidentally, it is this tilting of the Earth, relative to the sun as it orbits around it, that causes the seasons to change and give us more daylight hours at certain times of the year.
Because a globe is round with no beginning or end, there are 2 imaginary reference lines from which all distances and locations are determined; these are the equator and the prime meridian. The equator runs East and West around the exact middle of the globe. The prime meridian is the imaginary line running from Pole to Pole and passing through Greenwich, England. Both the equator and the prime meridian intersect at point '0' where all numbering starts with longitude and latitude lines.
Longitude lines are imaginary lines running parallel with the prime meridian through each Pole and numbered in 15° increments. Latitude lines are imaginary lines running around the globe parallel to the equator at 10° increments. Locations are uniquely identified on a globe by the point at where the longitude and latitude lines intersect. For example, Dallas, Texas is located 33° North (Latitude) and 97° West (Longitude).
The tan globes are antique in appearance and are preferred when the globe is to be used as a decorative accessory. The neutral tan color complements almost any home or office decor. The tan background or ocean is actually produced from a reproduction of an ancient parchment to give it the Antique or 'Old World' look. The geographic information is up-to-date and this antiqued treatment is done primarily for its aesthetic appeal.
The blue globes, while also political, have the ocean areas in a blue (water) color and usually consist of highly contrasting, colorful, political boundaries. The youth market normally prefers such globes.
Currently, we use 35 different maps. This is due to the different sizes of our globes, the style types, languages, and because some customers supply their own maps to us for private label globes.
Cleaning Gemstone Globes: Care for the Globe: Use a soft cotton cloth damped with rubbing alcohol to shine and remove fingerprints on the globe only. Do not use rubbing alcohol on the stand because it is too harsh.
Care for the Stand: Use a soft cotton cloth with a very small amount of hand lotion to remove fingerprints. With a clean dry soft cotton cloth wipe away the hand lotion and shine.
Cleaning All Other World Globes: Our globes have a special coating designed to protect the globe ball and enhance its appearance. Because this finish is washable, you could use a crayon or soft wax pencil on the surface. Markings can be wiped off with a moistened tissue or soft, damp cloth. Household dust can be removed with a dry cloth, though you may wish occasionally to use a slightly dampened cloth to remove fingerprints or smudges. A mild, non-abrasive product is recommended for difficult marks. Do not use an industrial or even household cleaners that contain alcohol or any solvent.
Any hardware or lighting store will have a replacment bulb. Some of our illuminated globes use a 25 watt candelabra light bult and others require a standard light bulb. Please follow these guidelines for globes requiring a standard light bulb. Please do not use more than a 75 watt bulb for a 32" globe, 40 watt bulb for a 20" globe, and 15 watts for a 12" globe.
Most globes have a metal ring either full circle or half (semi) circle. These are called Meridians and they are generally numbered in degrees from 0° at the equator to 90° at either Pole. Originally, meridians were used to help locate positions on the globe, but since our globes have the longitude and latitude lines on the maps, the numbers on the meridian have become less important, but the ring itself still serves to hold the globe ball in position.
Subject to space limitations, we attempt to list all nations, all the capitals, then the biggest city in that country or state, or an important city. There are more names on the coastline because there is room for them, and we are trying to fill space as well. We try not to abbreviate names because that would lead to confusion for our customers. If a city has some importance other than size or a capital, then we add it. The US Government has a list of names for cities and countries outside North America that they call 'conventional' names. This is easier for us to understand than the true translation... and is why our maps show Finland, for example - rather than Suomi.
The 'bumps' are called raised relief and better emphasize the mountainous areas of the world. They are there so that you can see and feel the mountains - although their actual height on the globe does not have any relationship to the true relative heights of mountain ranges. Raised relief is found on 9", 12", and 16" diameter non-illuminated globes. On a smaller globe, it would be difficult to maintain any degree of accuracy. On a very large diameter globe, such as 20" & 32", the method of manufacturing doesn't lend itself to incorporating this feature.
Actually, an atlas complements the globe and the globe complements the atlas. Each has features that, when used together, become an excellent reference and teaching tool. The advantage of a globe is that the world in its entirety is depicted on a sphere. As well as being functional, many globes also serve as attractive decorative accessories for homes and offices.
We have a policy of updating a map every time it's printed. Although the names or boundaries of countries can change due to wars or other political upheavals, most changes are simple name changes that are relatively easy to make. Our policy is that when the US State Department - along with the representatives (usually Embassies of the governments involved), recognizes the changes as being a fact, we then start to implement the changes into our system. Generally, the 9" and 12" diameter globes are the first sizes to show up in the field with the changes, followed by the 16" models and all other sizes. This can be anywhere from six months to a year - depending on the field inventory. There can be no absolute guarantee that any map is 100% current, but this should not be a deterrent to the purchase because the real value of a globe is to show true, geographical relationships.
