The term “phantom island” refers to an island that appeared on historical maps (sometimes for many years) even though it doesn’t exist.  Most phantom islands emerged from the era of European sea exploration and colonization.  Phantom Islands – A Sonic Atlas is a project that pairs original sound recordings with 27 phantom islands.  Each of these islands are placed according to their coordinates on historical maps.  Visitors can explore these individual islands by either taking a “cruise” or by navigating with their cursor.  As one visits each island, they will hear a unique soundscape and can read about the island’s history, including the date of the island’s first and last appearance in print.  Check it out!

Looking to buy a home in California?  You will need to make $120,120 per year to afford an average home.  Check out this article and map of the US showing what your annual salary must be to afford an average home.

Interesting article about mapping the ocean floor.  I did not know that only 15% of the ocean floor has been mapped so far.  An idea to “crowd source” ocean floor mapping is taking hold, using volunteer cargo ships, fishing boats, and pleasure craft to transmit data in real time.

Radio Garden is an interactive globe that allows visitors to listen to over 8,000 live radio stations from around the world.  When you visit the site, radio stations are loaded and then you will be directed to the radio station closest to your current location.  From there, you can explore other stations around the globe.  Cities with multiple participating stations will have a list appear on the right side of the browser, allowing you to choose which station to listen to.  By selecting the History tab or the Jingles tab, you can explore historic radio broadcasts and station jingles from across time and space.  Check it out!

Check out this Library of Congress post about the “father of temperature mapping”, Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), who devised the concept of the isotherm.  Cool maps!