Since things are heating up again, I thought I would share this interesting site, the US Drought Monitor. Check it out!
US Drought Monitor
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Category Archives: Fun Stuff
LEGO Art World Map
If you like maps and LEGOs, then this is for you! This new addition to the LEGO Art collection contains the most pieces ever included in a set in LEGO’s history … 11,695 pieces! The world map measures 25.5 inches high by 40.5 inches wide when completed. The map is made up of 40 interconnecting base plates which are divided into three sections for the build that can be arranged in one of three ways, allowing you to place your favorite part of the world in the center of the map.
And check this out, there are customizable brick-built push pins that you can use to mark out destinations already visited or highlight those still on your bucket list! All of this for only $249.99! Available June 1st. Check it out!
Cinco De Mayo on the Map
The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico.
Check out the story by clicking the map below!
Mapping Stickers
Looking for that special mapping sticker? Click below to see a bunch!
The Mythology of Snow’s Map of Cholera
Most of you that took Geography, Cartography, or GIS courses remember reading about the story of Dr. John Snow and his map showing the cholera outbreak in Soho, London in 1854.
You also probably remember how he plotted cholera cases on the map and how he used that information to figure out that there was a strong spatial relationship between the cases and a polluted well on Broad Street, so he had the pump removed and the outbreak stopped. The map has been used as an example of the principles of GIS using layers of information and spatial relationships.
Well … despite it being a great story, unfortunately it’s not really how it played out. Both the use of the famous map and the story surrounding it have become somewhat modified through the passage of time. Click below to read the mythology of Snow’s cholera map.
Mapping Grand Canyon National Park
UPDATE 4/15/2021: The recorded webinar can be watched here.
For those of you that like historical cartography and the Grand Canyon, you might find this online lecture very interesting.
2021 “Maps & America” Arthur Holzheimer Lecture: “Mapping Grand Canyon National Park”
April 8 @ 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT
Tom Patterson, US National Park Service Cartographer (Ret.)
Mapping Grand Canyon National Park
Tom Patterson, US National Park Service Cartographer (Ret.), will present a virtual talk, “Mapping Grand Canyon National Park,” on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 4 pm PDT.
Patterson’s presentation will focus on four recently published maps of Grand Canyon National Park that owe their design inspiration to renowned mapmakers of the twentieth century.
This will be the 31st annual Maps & America lecture, supported by an endowment created by Arthur and Janet Holzheimer.
The lecture series was inaugurated by the noted cartographic historian, Brian Harley, in 1990. Over the years, the series has featured many of the leading figures in the field of map history and provided a multifaceted survey of this rapidly developing field. A list of previous speakers can be viewed here.
Click below to register for the webinar.
April Fools Russian Roulette
Great April Fools joke! Which jelly donut has sriracha hot chili sauce? You feeling lucky?
The National Map Corps
The National Maps Corps is an online crowdsourcing mapping project with volunteers successfully editing structures in all 50 States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Structures include schools, hospitals, post offices, police stations, cemeteries, and other important public buildings. By updating and verifying structures data, volunteers are making significant contributions to USGS National Structures Database, The National Map, and ultimately US Topo Maps.
If you have some time, why not do a little data editing? Click below and check it out.
Explore Mars with GIS
Check out this ESRI blog post about adapting planetary coordinate systems to then view in a 3D globe application like for Mars.
Los Angeles Bay
One of our members pointed out this hilarious map. Based on a sea level rise of 260 feet. I like some of the place names like “Mudflats of El Monte”, “Huntington Abyss”, and “Knott’s Oyster Farm”. Could be a nice place!
More images by the artist can be found here.
