AMHERST-MAPS

AAA: A Great Resource for Local Travel

admin — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In 1902 nine different motor clubs met on March 4, 1902, in Chicago to form the AAA. Those nine clubs reprensented more than 1,500 individuals who believed that the United States needed safer highways. The AAA published their first road maps in 1905. The map was a hand drawn map of Staten Island, New York. The AAA printed the first transcontinental map in 1912, when Americans owned over a million cars. The original transcontinental map sold for a quarter. That started a trend for the AAA that has expanded to what the AAA has become today. Three years later the organization opened its first emergency road service. Today the AAA contracts with over 13,500 towing facilities assisting over 30,000,000 motorists yearly.
Today the AAA is still locally based, with organizations in each of the fifty states. The AAA today produces more than 90,000,000 maps. The AAA has apps on smart phones, which provide more than 17,000,000 customized trips each year.
In 1926 the AAA produced their first tour guide book funded by the national office. Prior to that many local AAA groups had produced their own tour guide books. Twenty two years later the organization offered its first escorted tour. Since then it has grown to become the largest travel agency in the United States.
The focus of the AAA remains on hiring local people who know the area. They are equipped to help local motorists and often know the people that they are working with.

Games to Help Children Learn Geography

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Learning Geography for some children is difficult. Whether it is boring or they just do not understand or remember what the work is that had been done while in class. This is a normal as there are children who can pick up and learn geography. However, there are just as many that have trouble remembering what they learnt in class when it comes to having to take a test about geography.

This is where you can help your child learn geography with different geography games. Learning this subject can be exciting instead of boring for your child or children. It is a natural aspect when children play games. You can use online games, or store bought games. There are puzzles that show the states, with their capital boldly shown. Part of geography is the United States-states and capitals. As is learning capitals in other countries, which is also very important to learn.

Some of the fun games you will find online are more than just a game, it is also teaching lessons to the children while they play such games such as geographical word searches, jigsaw puzzles, and other games helping your children to learn geography. The games will help your child to practice geography while having fun and it will test even the parent-s knowledge to help to teach your children what you may not have known. Times have changed as far as education goes leaving some parents wondering if they know or can even help with the geography homework. Your child will learn all seven continents that are, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Watch your child knowledge of geography grow.

The Magic of MapQuest

www.amherst-maps.com — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Magic of MapQuest is undeniable. MapQuest’s meteoric rise began as a traditional maker and seller of maps; Cartographic services. The name change came with the push of the online map service in 1996. MapQuest quickly developed a huge following from people wanting personalized directions. Today, MapQuest is used by over 40 million people a year.
MapQuest became so successful due to their unique ability to personalize directions. There was a huge need for people to get away from paper maps. Paper maps & road atlases were often outdated shortly after printing. These maps did not have the ability to show road closures, new roads, or shortcuts along the trip.
MapQuest’s brilliance was the ability to personalize directions by allowing for stops or shortcuts. MapQuest has up to date information on road closures, construction, and even potential toll roads. The MapQuest user has the ability to change routes or pick form alternative routes. The best feature of the site allows the user to print their personalized directions with pictures, and personalized notes. The ability to print just one or two pages of directions instead of having to tote around a huge map or road atlas is the key to the magic of MapQuest .

Great Map Stores

www.amherst-maps.com — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Whether you usually shop over your Hughes Net internet or you like to feel the map in your hand, we’ve got a few great tips for places to look to satisfy your map craving. Bet you wouldn’t have thought of these map stores!
REI: Yes, REI. The rugged outdoor store has all the maps you need for your immediate area and then some and if you need an atlas you’ve come to the right place. You can even find waterproof maps here if that’s your cup of tea
The Map Shop: If you live anywhere near Charlotte, North Carolina you’ve got to take a trip to the Map Shop. This huge store has everything from international travel books to some great antique collectibles and we hear there’s a great counterpart in DC as well.
Wall-Maps.com: If you’re in the market for a great wall mounted map, this online store in your place. Get a world map and pushpins to mark your conquests or a simple topography map of western Africa. Because, why not?

Reviews for the Best GPS Systems

admin — Sat, 07 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When it comes to traveling around this maze we call world, the easiest, fastest and most reliable way to get anywhere is by using GPS systems. With that said, the Garmin GPS 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator is one of the older models, and it currently sits at a more than affordable deal that is around 275 retail. Even though it weighs seven and a half ounces it still has the strong will to deliver accurate tracking. In addition, it has 64 megs of memory, built-in compass, altimeter and a waterproof case.

Another one of the best models is the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS. If you thought the cost of the 60CSx was awesome, the HCx is bound to blow you away considering the cost of it stands around 200. As with the 60SCx, it comes with an altimeter and built-in compass. Apart from that, the Vista HCx is pretty unique among GPS systems. Its button layout has five buttons on both sides of the unit, and that unquestionably frees up well-over enough room for the display. This is what makes it super easy to use, and view your maps with no problems at all times. The HCx is capable of running 25 hours on two AA batteries.

GPS: The Newest Map Application

admin — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Do you remember having to store a folded map in the glove compartment of every state that you’ve visited? Trying to get to those places required thoroughly scanning over the map, maybe even days before leaving, to be sure you knew the route you were going to travel.
Most assuredly, anytime we get ready to take a road trip, we want the most accurate map that is available. Nowadays, we can save a lot of time by using the newest map application, the GPS navigation system. These are installed into your automobile. It will give you driving directions as you travel, as well as places for car services along the way, or can even direct you to a restaurant in the area you are in. They are easy to use.
There is no reason to get lost when the GPS navigation system is available. It can answer the question of where you are, and help you with the best route to take to get to where you are going. It will also inform you of how long it will take you to get there.
There are lots of GPS navigation systems to choose from with different routing qualities and prices.

Encouraging Children to Read Maps

admin — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Maps are fun to learn, if you know how to make it into a game. Most children under the age of seven do not, particularly, understand why they need to know it, but they know they are being showed it. A good way to show a child and encourage them to read a map, is by making a game out of it with a surprise at the end. By making it into a game, such as a scavenger’s hunt or a hide and seek the item, the children get the reality of using a map and what it is used for without even realizing they are. Giving them a surprise at the end makes them respect the game and want to play more. It will give your child and edge on life in many ways and improve his/her skills for later learning.

Making a game out of maps can be as simple as letting them find their way home from Grandma’s house, accompanied of course, but without you telling them, but showing them a simple hand drawn map for them to go by. Make the icons large and easy at first, then, increase the difficulty as they age. This is a wonderful way for them to learn directions and locations, and become very understanding of icon or symbols used every day.

Map Making Careers

www.amherst-maps.com — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In the past couple of decades, new careers in map making have arrived on the scene. Much of this is due to the advances in map making technology and application. Below are some a few of the most interesting opportunities for map makers.

Map Making Firm

There are many small and large firms that make maps. They have a range of clients with a diverse set of mapping needs. Map makers in these businesses can often find themselves dealing with a variety of different assignments, which may all be in house or out on location. Sometimes, after years of work, map makers are known to branch out and open their own firms. Often, they are specialty businesses, focusing on certain types of maps.

Law Enforcement

Map makers work in various police entities using GIS (geographical information systems) to analyze and present information on overlapping maps. This allows police to see emerging patterns of crimes specific to location, time and certain demographic factors.

Professor

For all the professionals in the industry, there are the professors that taught them. Many universities have very developed map making studies departments with some of the best minds in the field, such as Drew University.

Google Maps: Dead Birds

www.amherst-maps.com — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

As most map enthusiasts know, a map can be used to plot almost anything, since one of the definitions of the word is a “representation.” And so it is with Google when they released their map of mass animal deaths around the world in recent months (as of January 2011). The map even includes Google Map’s visually-recognizable blue balloons that indicate where the deaths took place viewers can click on a balloon and the map will produce a link to a news report specific to that country’s incident. The latest information shows that there were five thousand blackbird deaths in Arkansas, one hundred pelican deaths near Jacksonville, North Carolina, three hundred dove deaths in Italy and hundreds of penguin deaths in New Zealand. For those environmentalists among map enthusiasts, reports are that some of the mass deaths were caused by trauma (reaction to fireworks) while others were a result of pesticides and poisons. But this article is not meant to make a statement about environmental issues, meant instead to remind readers that maps are not designed to delineate things such as topography only, but thanks to the continuum of technology (and Google Maps), they can now plot natural and unexplained disasters, as well.

North America

www.amherst-maps.com — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:26:03 +0000

If you’re looking for a way to get up-to-speed on North America and the many nuances she has experienced during her history we recommend taking a look at the following books that shed perspective from varying angles of perspective and diversity especially since that’s what North America was founded on.

Atlas of the North American Indian (Carl Waldman) is an updated comprehensive reference covering the entire history, culture, and tribal locations of the Indian peoples of the United States, Canada, and Central America, from prehistoric times to the present day. The text includes over 100 two-color maps.
Bird’s Eye Views: Historic Lithographs of North America Cities (John W. Reps) collects over 100 views dating between 1835 and 1902 and showcases the streets, buildings, churches, bridges, waterways, and surrounding countryside of North American towns that range from burgeoning metropolitan centers to small logging towns and mining camps. Cities such as Baltimore, Brooklyn, Denver, Indianapolis, Memphis, Montreal, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Syracuse, and Washington are just a few presented in this collection of 115 panoramic lithographs.
The Atlas of North American Exploration: From the Norse Voyages to the race to the Pole (William H. Goetzmann) is comprised of 224 pages of incredible cartography that is organized chronologically by region and charts the fascinating course of North American exploration from the pre-Columbian voyages to the race to the North Pole in 1909. Reviewers have commented that the text “serves a real need for any serious student of North American history” and “not only is the book a good stand alone reference, it is also a good supplement to have near at hand when you are reading the journals or history of early explorers.”

Take a look at any of the above to start your journey exploring North America .