AXIS OF EVIL MAPPING NEWSLETTER # 2: February, 2007

The Axis of Evil Mapping Newsletter is released irregularly. Any opinions expressed are strictly those of myself and are not intended to provoke anything more than the intellect.

INTRODUCTION

            Winter is usually a slower season for travelling, and traditionally a slower time for map sellers. Something new must be in the air, as we at ITMB have been seeing more and more of our existing titles selling out of their current editions in advance of anticipated depletion dates. While this is to the good, it also places more strain on our staff resources to arrange for updates in a timely fashion without rushing titles back into print before they are ready. Our Africa series is particularly interesting. We updated a dozen titles last year, and are now faced with updating Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Uganda at the same time as finishing off our new map of Lesotho for printing. ITMB’s Africa series has established a good reputation for mapping a very difficult continent to portray accurately, and I’m pleased, having spent several post-university years working in central Africa. This month, Lan and I are in Egypt, completing some vital research for our forthcoming map of that important country. Now that most of our Asian and Latin American country maps are out of the way, I hope that we will be making more trips to Africa, a fascinating continent needing more maps than we can afford to do – but we’ll try!

ITMB TITLES LOW ON STOCK AND BEING UPDATED

China is out of print. A new edition is at press and expected back in late-February/early March.

Madagascar is out of print. A new edition is at press and expected back in late-February.

Mali is low on inventory. A new edition is being prepared.

Mauritania is low on inventory. A new edition is being prepared.

Mexico Pacific Coast is out of print. A new edition is almost complete, and stock is expected in May.

New Zealand (paper) is out of print. We will supply New Zeal and (hard cover) until that version is out of print. We are preparing new artwork for a brand new map of New Zealand, for release next summer.

Nicaragua is getting low on inventory. A new edition is being prepared.

Nigeria is out of print. Artwork is being updated for a new edition in March.

Oman/UAE is out of print. A new edition is being prepared. No ETA is yet available.

Uganda is out of print. A new edition is already at press, and expected back in early March.

KEVIN IS LEAVING

            Kevin Spence, who for the last four and a half years has been the preparer of press releases, processor of web orders, and delinquent account chaser for ITMB, is leaving us for greener pastures. As a result, ITMB will morph once more into a new way of doing things, as new people take over Kevin’s responsibilities. As always, when an experienced person leaves, one experiences a certain amount of re-learning, as new people become aware of their responsibilities. We wish Kevin well in his new job, and will be advising you of who is doing what in the next newsletter, once I’m back from Europe.

 

 

 

AN ODE TO TRAVERSING THE WASTELAND KNOWN AS TEXAS

            Lan and I recently had cause to travel to the section of the USA commonly referred to at the ‘Southwest”, which for some reason that escapes me, does not include California. We landed in Phoenix (why isn’t it spelled Pheonix, like it’s pronounced?!?), having enjoyed an uneventful Alaska Airways flight through beautiful cloudless skies that included a marvelous view of the Grand Canyon from 30,000 feet elevation. We started driving east along the old main highway 60, and reached a town called Globe, AZ, by nightfall. At 3:00am, I was awakened by back pains that grew steadily worse and necessitated a 6:30am visit to the local hospital’s emergency services, where I was diagnosed as having a kidney stone. Six hours later, we were on our way again, with yours truly suitably sedated by painkillers, to survive, we hoped, our planned drive to Houston, TX.

            The weather was unusually cold for the Southwest, then a winter storm hit and paralyzed a part of the States that is ill-prepared for the fluffy white stuff us northerners call snow. We got as far as Van Horn, TX that day, and were blocked from travelling on Interstate I-10, which the powers-that-be had closed for a 325 mile stretch due to an inch of snow. When I asked at Fort Stockton how long it would take the plows to clear such a long stretch of motorway, I was advised that they didn’t have any plows. They were waiting for warmer weather to return and melt the snow! In the meantime, 500 long-distance trucks were blockaded from going further east. We drove north 20 miles, found a side road heading east, and kept on going until we reached Houston.

            Our trip was supposed to be a research trip for gathering information to add to our proposed new map of USA West and ended up being a typical JJ trip: if there isn’t at least one bad road or travel experience per trip, it just isn’t worth doing! Texas might be a nice place to visit during the summer, but driving through a two-day blizzard is not one of the ‘must do’s’ on most people’s itineraries. I still think that we survived simply because I was so full of pain killers that I drove on auto-pilot in both directions. Oh, the kidney stone – the pain went away as soon as our plane landed in Vancouver, for no apparent reason. My doctor can find no sign that I ever had kidney problems, or have passed a stone, or that anything is wrong. It’s a mystery.

TRAVEL TRENDS

            I think that most of us in the business of maps would like to have a better gauge on the future than is currently possible. I suppose that this is often called ‘market research’. I look for more general trends. For example, the number of visitors travelling to the USA from countries other than Canada or Mexico has dropped so far in the past five years, that it has a global effect. The US market share of world tourism has dropped from 9% to 6% in the past five years, which translates into hundreds of millions of visitors and hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue lost to American airlines, hotels, restaurants and the tourist industry in general. Arguably, the loss to the American economy is close to the cost of fighting the war in Iraq. Why such a profound drop in tourism? Security is increasing at border entry points around the world, without a corresponding drop in tourism, so it isn’t a question of security. It isn’t climate change, because that isn’t a big factor in the Americas, so what is it? In a nutshell, it’s the pigs at the border. A recent study has revealed that the primary reason given by travelers queried about why they have cut travel to the USA cite the behaviour of border officials as the Numero Uno reason for avoiding travel to or through the USA. It isn’t the security, it’s the humiliation of being finger-printed, eye-retina-ed, and questioned incessantly by someone trained to assume that everyone trying to enter the States is a felon or worse.

            Here’s an encouraging trend that bodes well for the future. The number of adult Americans now holding a US passport is at an al-time high of 27%. That’s still less than half as many as in Canada or most European countries, but is positive. It’s about time that the US authorities started insisting on having their citizens travel outside of the USA with a passport, and good for them for insisting that everyone entering the USA will need a passport. About time! Here’s another fact: the number of Canadians crossing by land into the USA continues to drop, and is now below the level of the late ‘60s. Canadians do not need passports to enter the USA, except by air, but this will change next year, and it is something that should have been introduced years ago. Unfortunately, it will also further distance the two neighbouring countries and further reduce travel and contact.

WHAT ARE WE CLOSE TO COMPLETING?

            In addition to the artwork noted above, we are moving ahead on several brand new titles.

Budapest is at editorial checking stage. It should be printed in March.

Chile is also ready to be checked, once the updating projects noted above are off to the printers.

China Travel Reference Map is at press, following updating and style changes, with a new cover.

Croatia is in final checking stage. No ETA.

Germany North and Germany South are approaching final editorial checking, should be ready for printing in April, for release in May.

Lombardy is being developed, for release in the spring.

Madagascar Travel Reference Map is at press and due in late February.

Nigeria is being updated. This map needs major revision and will be unavailable for some time.

Samoa is at editorial checking stage and should be ready for printing in March.

Sweden is delayed slightly, and will not be available before spring.

Tonga Travel Reference Map is at press and should be available in early March.

Umbria and Marche is being developed, for release in the spring.

Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia Regional Map is close to depletion. A new edition is being prepared for release in June.

LIFE IN ZIMBABWE CIRCA JANUARY, 2007

            Most of you probably don’t follow the news on the continuing saga of an imploding economy in central southern Africa. I do, because I used to live there, and the daily press reports are usually pretty depressing reading. Today, however, I had a chuckle at one of the unexpected side effects of Comrade Mugabe’s attempts to create a cowed judiciary.

            Mugabe is a brutal and unprincipled dictator who has instigated a reign of terror against his own people in order to cling to power and save himself from Hussein’s fate. One of his mechanisms has been to seize land or businesses from anyone he felt opposed him and gifted such ill-gained acquisitions to loyal henchmen. The courts consistently opposed such moves until Mugabe replaced all the judges with coherts willing to accept farms or ranches in exchange for supporting the governing party against the dispossessed land owners.

            Today’s story noted the chaotic reality of some courthouses where one judge recessed the court so he could stand outside in the street, selling live chickens from the boot (trunk) of his government-issued car. Another judge has turned his courtroom into a store, where minor offenders can get off by buying some of his produce and paying the court clerk, who then openly hands the ‘fine’ to the judge. I’ve heard of chickens coming home to roost, but in a courtroom?

            Here’s another brief story. In June, 2004, Zimbabwe decided to create new paper currency, with denominations ranging from $1 to $1,000. The newly-printed currency is now in the country, ready to be introduced, but the authorities can’t bring themselves to do so. Why? Inflation has destroyed the value of the new currency to the point that all of the denominations are valueless. The largest one, the $1,000 bill, can only buy one tomato. Next month, it will only be able to buy 1.2 of a tomato, and the month after that – one-eighth of a tomato. Back to the drawing board, Comrade Bob!

FORTHCOMING TRADE SHOWS

IMTA Salzburg, Austria, February 22-24, 2007, at the Congress Centre – Lan and I will be exhibiting the latest ITMB maps that have been released and welcome the opportunity to meet as many of our friends and colleagues as possible. As President of the Americas Region, I will also be representing the Region.

London Book Fair, Earl’s Court, London April, 16-18 2007, Stand J920 Lan and I will be exhibiting our latest releases at this important book fair, in a stand in the travel section of the largest English-language publications fair ever held in Europe. This year, for the first time, it will be held in Earl’s Court in central London, on a direct tube line from Heathrow, and with easy connections to all parts of London. Hope to see you there!

BookExpo USA New York City (Jacob Javitts Centre, central Manhattan) June 1-3, 2007 Stand 4411 – Again, Lan and I will be at stand 4411 throughout this important book fair. We have spare space for rent if any IMTA member wishes to display at BEA affordably.

Tokyo Book Fair, Japan, July sometime – At this point, we are planning on exhibiting at this show.

IMTA Philadelphia, September 23-25 – Yes, we will be exhibiting at this trade show.

Frankfurt Book Fair, early October. – Yes, we will be exhibiting at this very important trade show.

IMTA Gold Coast, Australia, November – At this point, I’ll say that we hope to be present.

CANADA MAP OFFICE

            For those who don’t know, the Minister responsible for Canadian topographical maps has reversed a decision to discontinue paper topo maps. This does nothing to rectify a glaring problem in the CMO, but at least buys a few years’ time to come up with a solution to the dated nature of many Canadian topo maps. My own pet solution is to fire the entire bureaucracy and transfer the artwork to the public domain.

NEW TITLES RECENTLY RELEASED OR NEARLY SO (due for release by mid-February)

Australia Travel Reference Map 5^th Ed. 2007 1:3,600,000 ISBN 9781553411192 $13.95cdn/11.95us/E8.95 – This is actually a brand new map, using GIS-downloaded information to ensure both accuracy and updatedness. We first published Australia using a Gregory map under licence, and continued with another map until the end of the last edition. ITMB now assumes control of the artwork, which is a completely new rendering of the ‘island continent’. Naturally, it is detailed, place name indexed, and double-sided; printed on ITM plastic paper. AVAILABLE

Colombia Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2007 1:2,000,000 ISBN 9781553411727 $13.95cdn/11.95us/E8.95 – There isn’t too much I can say about this map. We have corrected a few errors that slipped into the first edition, have updated the information on the map, changed the style of the inset map of Bogota, and re-worked the cover to fit our new design; printed on paper, single-sided. AVAILABLE

Dominican Republic and Haiti Travel Reference Map 4^th Ed/1^st Ed. 2007 $13.95CDN/11.95US/E8.95 – This is brand new artwork, with Dominican Republic at 1:400,000 scale on one side and Haiti at 1;350,000 scale on the other. So, this is our long-awaited map of Haiti, which will have its own cover pic, but, to save money and paper, we are ‘twinning’ it with an established title until it takes off as a viable title on its own. AVAILABLE

England and Wales Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2007 1:550,000 ISBN 9781553415824 $13.95cdn/11.95us/E8.95 – This is again a double-sided map, but with southern England/Wales on one side and northern on the other. We have used two covers, though, one for each nation. This will complete our general mapping of this part of Europe, with maps of Great Britain (including Ireland), Ireland itself in great detail, a double-sided map of Scotland that I think is pretty darn good, and now our detailed map of England and Wales. We also have published city maps of Dublin, Edinburgh, and London, and are working on Jersey. AVAILABLE

Israel and Palestine Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2007 1^st Ed. 2007 1:225,000 ISBN 9781553412571 $13.95cdn/11.95us/E8.95 – ITMB is very pleased to announce the release of one of the most important maps that we have created, and one that has been twelve years in the making. I first went to Israel in 1994 to develop the basis for mapping the country in conjunction with the government. That plan went by the wayside as politics and the Palestinian infantida changed the course of history. We all know how delicate the issue of Israeli versus Palestinian rights is at the moment. Surprisingly, the situation appears to be stabilizing, although a relatively minor incident can result in widespread disruption (just ask Lebanon!) It is time for both a new travel map of this part of the world AND, for the first time ever, a map dedicated to both Israel AND Palestine equally! The entire issue of the Middle East is a minefield of vested interest groups, and controversy, and I am sure that some will take issue with our double-sided cover of an Israeli orthodox Jew on one side and a proud Palestinian on the other – but this is exactly the reality of Israel and Palestine. This is beautiful artwork, gradually refined through years of effort and carefully crafted to try and present all parts of the region in as positive a light as possible. We hope that you will agree and support our sincere efforts to move opposing sides a bit closer together by realizing that they share a beautiful land; the map is printed on paper, double-sided, indexed. AVAILABLE

Japan Travel Reference Map 6^th Ed. 2007 1:1,100,000 ISBN 9781553412663 $13.95cdn/11.95us/E8.95 – Japan was ITMB’s first Asian title, way back in 1989, and has been updated regularly. This latest edition benefits from our last visit to the island kingdom, as we were able to find out about new rail and road lines that do not seem to be on any other map. We have printed this edition on ITM plastic paper, which really brings out the features of the lovely maiden gracing the front cover. Inset maps of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Sapporo, & Okinawa are included. AVAILABLE

Lesotho Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2007 1:350,000 ISBN 9781553412953 $13.95cdn/11.95us/E8.95 – Every so often, ITMB releases a map that most people would shake their heads at and ask Why? Well, Lesotho is not a well-mapped area of Africa, but is unique. Although it sought British protection against the Boers well more than a century ago, it is now a proudly independent country with a strong historical heritage and wonderful mountainous terrain to explore. This is our latest release on the ever-fascinating African continent, and it results directly from a research trip Lan and I took last year. Lesotho might be small, but is interesting, and our map includes a good inset map of Maseru and several pictures to encourage viewers to consider visiting. AVAILABLE

Madagascar Travel Reference Map – is at press and expected before the end of February.

Mekong Delta and Southern Vietnam Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2007 1:500,000 ISBN 9781553415879 $13.95cdn/11.95us/E8.95 – The first edition of our Mekong map, developed following the detailed trip Lan and I took through the ‘nine mouths’ region of Vietnam proved to be popular, but…it was missing the interesting parts of Vietnam east and north of Saigon. As a result, we have prepared the first-ever published sectional map of the southern third of Vietnam on one side, and a detailed delta map on the other. This map will be perfect for bicyclists, tourists, and adventurers exploring such fascinating corners as the beaches of Nha Trang, the beautiful hill resort town of Dalat, and the interior city of Pleiku. The map also includes a good inset map of Hue and region, which will have to do until we complete our forthcoming map of Hue and Central Vietnam sometime later this year. AVAILABLE

Myanmar/Burma Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2007 1:1,350,000 ISBN 9781553411536 $13.95cdn/11.95us/E8.95 – Burma is a wonderful country of warm, friendly people. Unfortunately, a group of army officers seized power there a number of years ago and insisted that everyone call the country Myanmar. Most ‘civilized’ countries refused, for many years, but time passes and we have to accept the reality that lovely Burma is called Myanmar. Sigh. Apart from that, it has been really, really difficult to develop this map. Face it, reliable information on a country run by military nuts isn’t easy to obtain. We persevered, and feel that we have created as positive and accurate a map of this interesting country as is possible at this point in time; printed on paper, double-sided, with inset maps of Yangon (Rangoon) and Mandalay. AVAILABLE

North Korea Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2007 1:750,000 ISBN 9781553412755 $13.95cdn/11.95us/E8.95 – It isn’t often that ITMB can publish a map of a country that has never been commercially-published before, but that is the case with North Korea. The secretive and paranoid people who have been ruling the northern portion of the peninsula for the past 50-odd years do allow visitors into their country and it would be an experience to remember. North Korea has touristic potential, and this map is a first attempt to meet the demand for a good quality map of an important and interesting country. Inset of Pyongyang is included. AVAILABLE

Palestine – see Israel. AVAILABLE

Piedmont and Liguria Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2007 1:250,000 ISBN 9781553415770 $12.95cdn/10.95us/E8.95 – Italy is a fascinating country, one of my favourite places to visit. It is also densely populated and, although ITMB publishes a map of Italy as a country, and two maps covering North/Central and South Italy, the road network is so dense and the villages so numerous that it is easier to find one’s way with a very detailed map. ITMB has already published a very good map of Tuscany; we now are pleased to release the second detailed sectional map of Italy, covering the northern provinces of Piedmont and Liguria with the same care and attention to detail that has made Tuscany so popular. This map covers from the Swiss border in the north to the Mediterranean, and from the French border east to past Milan; printed on paper, double-sided. AVAILABLE

Riga (Latvia) ITM City Map 1^st Ed. 2007 1:8,000 ISBN 9781553416937 $10.95cdn/8.95us/E7.95 The ancient fortress city of Riga now welcomes visitors from around the world, as it casts off the residue of decades of Soviet occupation. Located on the Daugavu River, far enough inland to be safe from sea pirates, Riga evolved into a prosperous and important city in the Middle Ages and beyond. This is the latest city map prepared by Andrew Duggan, and includes an excellent inset expansion of Riga Old Town, which has recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as a detailed map of the city itself and an inset showing the city in its environs. The cover picture is of a pert young local girl, who decided to practice her English on Lan and myself; printed on paper, single-sided. AVAILABLE

Rwanda (and Burundi) Travel Reference Map 3^rd Ed.  2007 1:300,000 ISBN 9781553413806 $13.95cdn/11.95us/E8.95 – This is an expanded version of our previous map of Rwanda, and occupies the entire sheet, with an inset map of Kigali. The map also has a new cover design; printed on paper AVAILABLE

South Korea and Seoul Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2007 1:550,000 ISBN 9781553412786 $13.95cdn/11.95us/E8.95 – Our coverage of the Korean peninsula takes a giant leap forward this month with the release of an updated map of South Korea, with a full-sized map of Seoul on the other side. AVAILABLE

Stockholm ITM City Map 1^st Ed. 2007 1:10,000 ISBN 9781553417064 $10.95cdn/8.95us/E7.95 – Sweden’s capital is also ITMB’s latest city map to be released. As with others in the series, this map covers the touristicly significant portion of the city, showing hotels, museums, shopping areas and parks. AVAILABLE

Sydney, Australia, ITM City Map 1^st Ed. 2007 1:10,000 ISBN 9781553417101 $10.95cdn/8.95us/E7.95 – We are beginning a new series of urban maps of Asian/Pacific destinations, starting with Sydney. This map focuses on the city proper, from the university in the west to Bondi junction in the East, with inset maps of North Sydney, the ferry routes across the harbour, and a regional road map showing main roads into the city centre. AVAILABLE

Vancouver ITM City Map 5^th Ed. 2007 1:20,000 ISBN 9781553417118 $/E8.95 – I first commissioned this map to Lan in 1996, to give her a ‘feel’ for her newly-adopted city. Ten years later, we begin our fifth edition of a map that has proved to be popular with both locals and visitors. One side shows the City itself in great detail and the other side shows the entire urban area (what most of you think of as Vancouver but is actually a bizarre collection of 23 squabbling and erratically run competing municipalities. This edition is printed only on ITMB plastic paper. Enjoy. AVAILABLE

Jack Joyce, President ITMB

 

TITLES RELEASED TO DATE IN 2007

Alaska Travel Reference Map 5^th Ed. 2007 ISBN 9781553419020

Alps Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2006 ISBN 9781553410591

Baltic States Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2006 ISBN 9781553410607

Belgium/Luxembourg Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2006 ISBN 9781553411321

Burundi Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. – see Rwanda and Burundi Map

Ecuador Travel Reference Map 5^th Ed. 2007 ISBN 9781553411949

Haiti Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. – see Dominican Republic and Haiti Map

Hanoi and North East Vietnam Travel Reference Map 3^rd Ed. 2007 ISBN 9781553416401

Helsinki ITM City Map 1^st Ed. 2007 ISBN 9781553416418

Slovakia Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2006 ISBN 9781553413998

Switzerland Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2006 ISBN 9781553414216