-------- Original Message -------- Subject: The Great White Spaces Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 11:26:19 -0700 From: Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] All, Having just received the latest map supplement from the October, 2006 issue of 'National Geographic': 'The United States' political with 'History of the Land' physical on the reverse, I couldn't help but be struck by the presentation. I noticed with interest that the USA was presented in isolated form, with no contextual cartography except for faint Great Lakes and Lake of the Woods delineation. The background is simple: plain, white space. The clarity is superb, and the usual impeccable NGS cartography is shown off to great effect. It is an excellent map, in my opinion, and most helpful. To my recollection though, I have never known NGS to use this approach in so bold a way before. The holistic concept has been set aside with the accent now on borders. This is certainly a timely notion, but can any influence by/from Homeland (in)Security be detected? I am reminded of the US County series from USGS, which placed the essential goal of the map in sensible pride of place. Can we now expect uniform treatment for Mongolia, Lithuania, et al? Brian Brian P. Bach Documents/Maps Brooks Library Central Washington University 400 E. University Way Ellensburg, WA 98926-7548 USA [log in to unmask]