--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2001 15:01:20 -0700
From: Mark Crotteau <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: MAP QUESTION! <fwd>
Sender: Mark Crotteau <[log in to unmask]>


John,

I'm not sure I understand when we give latitude first.  When recording
coordinates of a map in a cataloging record the the range of longitudes is given
first.  As far as your specific problem is concerned I'm not sure I've ever
encountered a map indexed using letters in both directions.  It's usually either
letters across the top and bottom and numbers down the sides or vice versa, or
the index locations, usually letters, are printed directly on the map in
sequential order row by row.  When maps are indexed in either of those ways no
convention as to which character applies to which direction never arises.
I guess my map experience is limited, but I think the publisher of this atlas
has chosen an unfortunate method of indexing.

Mark Crotteau
Albertsons Library
Boise State University
Boise, ID  <[log in to unmask]>

>>> [log in to unmask] 02/09/01 12:06PM >>>
--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2001 13:42:06 -0500
From: "John D. Crissinger" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: MAP QUESTION!
Sender: "John D. Crissinger" <[log in to unmask]>



Greetings map world! I just had an atlas question that made me stop and wonder.
I may be missing the obvious, or I am totally wrong in my understanding, but
can someone explain to me why we give map locations by latitude followed by
longitude but when reading an atlas (or map), we give the "letter" across the
top of the map (corresponding to longitude) followed by the letter down the side
(corresponding to latitude)? Seems like we are reading it just backwards. As I
said, I may be missing the obvious here, and do keep in mind this is Friday
after a long week so it may be that I really am in left field, or least that
part of my brain is. What brought this up was a patron's question as to where
Waterloo is, the index said KD but which KD on the map should he use. The K
across the top and the D down the side or the K down the side and the D across
the top. Longitude first, then latitude, or latitude first followed by longitude.
I have always believed that latitude is always listed first, then longitude.

Any explanation would be appreciated, even if I am humiliated in the process ;-)

        Thanks!.....John

**************************

                             *

JOHN D. CRISSINGER       *

NEWARK CAMPUS LIBRARY    *              Tele: 740-366-9306

OSU-N/COTC                   *          Fax:  740-366-9264

1179 UNIVERSITY DR.          *          email: [log in to unmask]

NEWARK, OH 43055         *

                         *

**************************


<center>        "Geographers never get lost,

         they are only exploring unfamiliar places!"

</center>
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