--- 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> --- End Forwarded Message --- --- End Forwarded Message ---