Frequently Asked Questions about World Globes
Why are globes tilted?
Can I spin this globe in any direction?
How are globe measured? How do I know how big a 12" globe is?
How do you find a place on a globe? How do you look up a place
based on latitude and longitude?
What's the difference between the beige and blue colored
globes?
Are your Antique Ocean globes up to date?
What is the difference between a Political and a Physical
globe?
What is that little round dial at the North Pole?
Why do some globes have a metal ring or semi-ring around them?
Which place names are used on our globes?
How many place names are on this globe?
Tell me more about the raised relief feature available on some
globes.
Why does my globe have a figure 8 in the Pacific Ocean?
Why a globe instead of an atlas?
How current are your globes?
How often are the globes updated?
How do you clean a globe?
How does the illumination work on illuminated models?
Where can you buy a replacement light bulb for an illuminated
globe?
Can push pins be used in my press craft globe?
How does the Touch On feature work on the 20" or 32" illuminated
globes?
How old is my globe and what is it worth?
More questions?
Why are globes tilted?
Most globes are made to tilt at an angle of 23.5 degrees to match the actual tilt of the
earth in relationship to our sun. Incidentally, it is this tilting of the earth
relative to the sun, rather than its changing distance from the sun, that causes
the seasons to change and gives us more daylight hours at certain times of the
year. Click here for
more information about the tilt of our Earth how it affects the cycle of
seasons.
Can I spin this globe in any direction?
Globes that feature gyro-matic or full swinging meridian can spin in all
directions. Be aware that in illuminated globes, this movement can be restricted
slightly by the cord which typically comes out of the southern axis. While many
non-illuminated globes can "gimble" or spin end over end along a vertical plane,
most illuminated globes can only rotate the horizon ring within the stand,
somewhat inhibited by the electrical cord.
How are globe measured? How do I
know how big a 12" globe is?
Globes are measured by diameter: A straight line through the widest point of the
sphere. To help visualize, a basketball is about 10" in diameter, and a typical
medium sized beach ball is about 16" in diameter.
How do you find a place on a globe? How
do you look up a place based on latitude and longitude?
Because a globe is round with no beginning or end, there are two imaginary
reference lines from which all distances and locations are determined - the
equator and prime meridian. Both the equator and the prime meridian intersect at
point 0, where all numbering starts with longitude and latitude lines. Locations
are uniquely identified on a globe by the point where the longitude and latitude
lines intersect, i.e., Dallas, Texas is located 33 degrees north (latitude) 97
degrees west
(longitude). Equator: Runs east and west around the exact middle of the globe.
Prime Meridian: Imaginary line running from pole to pole and passing through
Greenwich, England. Longitude: Imaginary lines running parallel with the prime
meridian through each pole and numbered in 15 degree increments. Latitude: Imaginary
lines running around the globe parallel to the equator and are numbered at 10 or
15 degree increments. See our "Globes as a Reference
Tool" and our "Locating
Places on Earth" pages for more details.
What's the difference between the
beige and blue colored globes?
Antique, beige colored globes are produced to resemble ancient parchment, with
an Old World appearance often preferred in home or office settings. The
geographic information is up-to-date and the antique appearance is done for its
esthetic appeal. The blue globes have ocean areas in blue and usually consist of
highly contrasting, colorful, political boundaries. The youth market often
prefers the realistic appearance of these globes.
Are your Antique Ocean globes up to
date?
Antique actually refers to the color of the oceans, which is intended to have
the appearance of aged parchment. Models on our site with Antique Oceans are
current. The
Old World or "Reproduction
Globes" on our site on the other hand, are replicas of another era of
cartography.
What is the difference between a
Political and a Physical globe?
A Political globe highlights country and state borders with less information
about the Earths physical features, while the Physical globe shows more detail
on physical terrain, and may or may not show country borders. Some illuminated
globes feature a dual-map that reveals additional information when the globe is
lit. Physical globes typically use more earthy tones to illustrate ecological
zones or topography, and most will also show "political" features such as city
and country names and boundaries. Political globes typically use bright, bold
color blocks to easily identify political boundaries, and little if any,
information about physical features.
What is that little round dial at the
North Pole?
Its called a time dial and is used to compare time around the world. More
information about how globes can help keep track of world time can be found in
our article "Time
Measurement".
Why do some globes have a metal ring or
semi-ring around them?
Most globes have a metal ring either full circle or half (semi) circle. These
rings 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 most reference globes have the longitude and
latitude lines on the maps, the numbers on the meridian have become less
important. The ring itself still serves to hold the globe ball in position.
Which place names are used on our
reference globes?
Subject to space limitations, manufacturers attempt to list all nations and
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. If a city
has some importance other than size or a capital, then its added. The US
Government has a list of names for cities and countries outside North America
that they call conventional names. They are easier to understand than the
literal translation and are why globes show Finland, for example, and not Suomi.
How many place names are on this globe?
Typical 12" and 16" reference globes have about 4000 place
names on them. 20" and larger have over 4500 place names. Larger globe diameters
offer more surface space for more place names. The massive
Diplomat globe has an unmatched 21,000 place names & is the most detailed
reference globe in production today.
Gemstone globes and "decorative" globes have much less detail, with around
1500 place names included.
Tell me more about the raised relief
feature available on some globes.
Globes
with raised relief better emphasize the mountainous areas of the world. The
relief is 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 the mountain ranges. If it were to actual scale, we'd barely--if even--be
able to feel the highest mountains of the world. Raised relief is found on 9",
12" and 16" diameter non-illuminated press craft globes and on select 12" and 16"
vinyl globes. On a smaller globe, it would be difficult to maintain any degree
of accuracy. On a very large diameter globe, i.e., 20" & 32", the method of
manufacturing doesn't lend itself to incorporating this feature.
Why does my globe have a figure 8
in the Pacific Ocean?
The figure 8 shape on your globe is called an
analemma. This tracks the perceived path of the sun across our Earth's sky
throughout the seasons of the year. Of course the sun does not move across our
sky, but from how we see it on Earth, the sun follows this figure 8 path. Much
more detail on this can be found here:
http://www.analemma.com/
Why a globe instead of an atlas?
An atlas complements a globe and a globe complements an atlas. When used
together, each has features that become excellent references and teaching tools.
The advantage of a globe is that the world in its entirety is depicted on a
sphere, showing land masses, countries and regions in true proportion. In
addition, globes are an attractive decorative accessory for both home and
office. Atlases are very useful for seeing a higher level of detail for a
particular, focused area or for understanding how geography affects politics,
climate, economy, etc.
How current are your globes?
All the reference globes we sell are totally current. Most also come with a
globe replacement program, which allows you to purchase an updated globe ball
from the manufacturer when needed. When political or place name changes occur,
keep in mind that it does not usually change the contours of the land or
geographical relationships between regions. Place names change and boundaries
move, but the world itself stays fairly intact, so a quality globe can last for
many years. Manufacturers suggest updating your globe ball every 5-10 years.
How often are the globes updated?
Most manufacturers have a policy of updating a map every time its 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. Usually when the U.S. State Department along with representatives
(usually the embassies of the governments involved), recognizes the changes as
being a fact, the changes are implemented in our system.
How do you clean a globe?
Markings can be wiped off with a moistened cleansing 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 industrial
or even household cleaners that contain alcohol or any solvent. Some acrylic and
special purpose globes can be marked with a grease pencil or with a dry erase
marker, and safely wiped clean with a soft cloth.
How does the illumination work
on illuminated models?
The globe is lit from the inside by a 25W electric light bulb. The cord
typically comes out of the southern axis and needs to be plugged into an
electrical outlet. To allow light to pass through the globe ball, the sphere is
usually made of plastic, sometimes covered with paper gores. Though it is a
diminishing craft, some globes still come with a glass or crystal sphere.
Where can you buy a replacement light
bulb for an illuminated globe?
Replacement bulbs can be found at any hardware or lighting store. Some
illuminated globes use a 15 watt up to 25 watt candelabra light bulb and others
require a standard light bulb. Please follow these guidelines: do not use more
use more than a 15 or 25 watt bulb for a 12 globe, a 40 watt bulb for a 20
globe, or a 75 watt bulb for a 32 globe.
Can push pins be used in my press craft
globe?
We now sell
an excellent Push-Pin globe that is designed to accommodate push pins.
How does the Touch On feature work on
the 20" or 32" illuminated globes?
By touching any part of the meridian ring with your fingertip, you can control
three light levels.
*Applies to Replogle globe models only.
How old is my globe and what is it
worth?
For help dating your globe ball, go to the "History
of Globes" section of our web site. You can learn the value of your globe by
contacting Murray Hudson Antiquarian Books, Maps, Prints & Globes in Halls, TN.
Contact them at www.murrayhudson.com or (800) 748-9946.
More questions?
E-mail us!
Portions reprinted from:
"Frequently Asked Questions" by Replogle Globes Inc.
http://www.replogleglobes.com/pdf/Replogle_FAQs.pdf
