Description:
Some may read it for the articles, but some of us are self-assured enough to admit that we like to look at the... maps. Now you can scope out 109 years of cartographical excellence with National Geographic Maps, a set of eight CD-ROMs that will keep you glued to your PC for hours on end, poring over transatlantic cable diagrams, finding the old name for Rwanda, or even learning a thing or two about the history of mapmaking. Installation is easy, and the interface is as attractive and intuitive as you would expect from the institution devoted to educating the public about the world. Fire it up and search for a particular map or a place on a map, then choose which of many from 1896 to 1995 meet your needs. Browsing the maps is fun, too--zooming and sweeping over vast distances can be almost dizzying. Whether or not you're a researcher, you'll love the bookmark and log-in features, which remember your past searches and help you find facts fast. When you want to kick back for a while, take one of the thematic tours or guided lessons on mapmaking that are every bit as powerful and well-made as National Geographic's television specials. It's hard to beat National Geographic Maps for sheer eye-straining fun; better still, it makes you smarter! --Rob Lightner
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