NEW TITLES THIS MONTH

Cameroun & Gabon, Miami & South Florida, Nepal Travel Reference Map, Shanghai & SE China, Sudan Travel Reference Map – details below

INTRODUCTION

          We have had a busy month. Flying into Romania was an interesting way to begin, followed by a drive to Sofia, Bulgaria over a decrepit road/rail bridge that looked like something left over from a bad WW11 movie. Sofia is interesting, and both capital cities will enjoy a much-needed upgrading now that the two countries have been accepted into the European Union. We then drove back into Romania, this time on a tiny ferry crossing the Danube (believe it or not, there is only one bridge across the river – all other crossings are by ferries). We spent most of our time in the far north of the country, on the Ukrainian border. Did you know that the tallest wooden church steeple is in a little village in northern Romania? It was built in 1796 or so, completely of dressed wood – no nails were, or are, used.

          Our second week was in Germany, at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the largest such trade show in the world. This was my 25^th consecutive year of exhibiting, and only Gunther Nelles of Nelles Verlag has been in the Tourism section longer than myself (as an individual, that is. Columbus Globes as a company has been there 60 years). It was good to see so many colleagues in a brief time period, and talk maps non-stop for five days. The show was followed by a brief but interesting drive to Paris, with stopovers in Reims to tour the great cathedral, and Senlis, another beautiful medieval town, north of Paris. We stayed a night in Chantilly, but didn’t see any lace.

          Now, at the end of the month, after a week in Vancouver desperately catching up on events, we are flying to Tasmania, via San Francisco, Auckland and Sydney, for yet another IMTA mapping conference, and another enormous drive around Australia. I’m going to sleep a week once all of this is over!

FORTHCOMING CONFERENCES

IMTA Asia/Pacific Map Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia Oct. 31/Nov 1– ITMB was the very first attendee to register! See you at the lovely Wrest Point Hotel in sunny Hobart. It will be our first visit to Tasmania and we’re looking as forward to touring the island after the conference as to meeting friends and colleagues. Who knows, maybe there’s another ITMB map in our future!

I READ IT IN THE PAPER, SO IT MUST BE TRUE

            Yes, I do find time to read occasionally. Actually, Lan read this one to me. This is apparently true. The scientific advisor to the famous Captain Cook, a lord named Sir Banks, accompanied the explorer ashore on his first visit to the land mass that eventually became known as Australia and, during the course of time, noticed a large marsupial bounding by, as they are wont to do. He questioned a local, asking what the animal was named. I don’t understand what you’re saying, replied the local, who of course didn’t understand the king’s English for some reason. In his local language, this was gangurua, which sounded like kangaroo to the untrained European ear, and that’s how Joey got his name. So, the next time you see one of these large and very stupid animals, don’t say Cor! There’s a kangaroo – because what you’re really saying is There’s an I don’t know what you’re talking about bounding across the road directly in front of us!

            Here’s another one, which would probably be funnier to see than to describe. A man in South Africa decided to steal a couple of cows and a pair of goats. He somehow managed to load these rather large and smelly creatures into his small Fiat car and was making his escape when the police happened on the scene. He tried to out-race the police vehicle, which was pretty hard because the mooing and bleating animals weighed quite a bit and he had trouble getting out of third gear. He eventually gave up and ran away, leaving the police to figure out how to get the animals out of the car. No one was able to get the smell of these frightened creatures out of the upholstery, though. It appears that the animals developed a bad case of diarreah while in the car.

LAN’S STORY

            I think you have to be Vietnamese to appreciate fully the funny stories she reads in various magazines. Anyway, it appears that there was a lady who married a man. The man died shortly after the nuptials. A little later, she was courted again, and married another man, who unfortunately died not too long after the ceremony. You’d think that she would learn but, some time later, she was courted by a third man. This one died before the wedding. Talk about bad luck! A fourth man then won her heart and the two have married. They seem quite happy, but all the relatives have a betting pool on how long he will last. (Lan giggles uncontrollably when telling this story).

NEW PROJECTS UNDERWAY

            At the moment, we are finalizing updated artwork for a first-ever map of the Western Region of China, a detailed map of Northern India, including Kashmir; a first-ever map of Uzbekistan, and another of Turkmenistan, and a third of the Central Asian countries as a region, and one of Greece; a brand new map of Tehran, a first-ever map of Nunavut, a city map of Marekkesh and region, and a new double-sided map of Las Vegas.  Lan is apparently close to completing Central Japan, but you dodn’t hear it from me! While we were in Europe, another five maps went to press, can’t remember which ones, and another three should be completed and off to press by the time we return from Australia/New Zealand.

NEW TITLES September and October, 2008

Bolivia Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2008 – at press, due mid-October. The current edition is out of print.

British Columbia Travel Road Atlas 1^st Ed. 2008 1:925,000(south)/1:1,250,000(north) 76 pages, paper, ISBN 9781553419860 UPC 815534198600 $9.95cdn/us, E7.95 5.95GBP This is an exceptional title at an exceptionally low price. BC is the most visited province of Canada and yet is too big to fit on to a standard sized map sheet, even double-sided, and show off its assets to best advantage. An atlas format (4”x6”) allows us space to show the roads and points of interest at a better scale and in a convenient format for driving. Also included are inset maps of Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler, as well as a detailed place names index; AVAILABLE.

British Columbia South Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2009 is at press, due late October.

Bulgaria Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2008 – at press, due mid-October. The current edition is out of print

Cameroun and Gabon Travel Reference Maps 2^nd Ed. 2009 1:1,500,000/1:950,000 ISBN 9781553411574 UPC 815534115799 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 7.50GBP – Cameroun, or Cameroon in French, is one of the most interesting countries in West Africa to visit. The far north has lava outcrops and unusual villages, the centre is excellent agricultural land, and the south is steamy tropical forest. This updated edition is being combined with a separate map of the country of Gabon on the reverse side, to make better use of the paper. However, Gabon continues to be available as a separate title. Printed on paper; AVAILABLE.

China West Half Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2009 1:3,000,000 – at press, due late November.

Egypt Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2008 – at press, due mid-October. This is a new title.

Krakow(prev. Cracow) ITM City Map 1^st Ed. 2008 1:8,000 ISBN 9781553416272 UPC 815534162724 $10.95cdn/us, E7.95 6.50GBP – Poland is emerging from its ‘eastern’ era as a vibrant and historic country, full of interesting castles and ancient cities. One of the leading icons of tradition-laden Europe is the medieval cloth centre of Krakow (formerly called Cracow). The city centre of the city is so full of pristine old buildings that the entire centre is a heritage area. The Cloth Hall in the market square is one of the greatest repositories of tapestries in Europe. St. Mary’s Cathedral is breath-taking and, when full to the entranceway with worshipers, as it was when I was there, is awe-inspiring. Our map of Krakow, ITMB’s third map for Poland, concentrates on the central portion of the city, with a large inset of the central pedestrian area and with a regional inset map showing roads to Auschwitz (now called Oswiecim) and to Katowice. Krakow is also home to the famous 700-year old salt mine complex, Wieliczka, where IMTA held it’s famous conference banquet one unforgettable evening. This map is dedicated to our good friend Elizabeth, for all she has done to promote maps in poland and abroad, and for all she did to make that conference so memorable. Thank you, Elizabeth. AVAILABLE

Miami and South Florida Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2009 1:12,500/1:400,000 ISBN 9781553416746 UPC 815534167408 $10.95cdn/us, E7.95 6.50GBP – This is a new title for ITMB. One side contains a detailed map of most of Miami and southern Miami Beach, showing the downtown, the expressways, and the cruise ship docks, as well as the major hotels along the beach. The other side covers all of Florida south of Cape Coral/West Palm Beach in excellent detail, including the famous Florida Keys. This is third most-visited touristic destination in the world, after Orlando and Las Vegas, and finally completes our detailed mapping for this densely populated US state. Printed on ITM plastic paper, double-sided; AVAILABLE.

Nepal Travel Reference Map 3^rd Ed. 2009 1:530,000 ISBN 978155341 UPC 815534134158 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 7.50GBP – This is a completely new map, using original ITMB artwork (the previous edition was licenced from a British firm). It is a double-sided (east half/west half) map with good inset maps of Kathmandu and of its surrounding valley, excellent hypsometry, and as detailed a rendering of the roads as has been possible. The civil unrest that beset this lovely country is now a thing of the past, and Nepal is enjoying a well-deserved touristic boom. The map is printed on paper, double-sided, AVAILABLE.

Orlando and Central Florida Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. For Orlando side, 2^nd Ed. For Central Florida side 2008 1:12,000 (Orlando) 1:400,000 (Central FL) ISBN 9781553416791 UPC 815534167910 $10.95cdn/us, E7.95 6.50GBP – The title of most popular vacation spot on earth is claimed by two cities – Orlando and Las Vegas – both in the States. Sorry London and Paris, but apparently you’re down the list a ways. We don’t want to play favourites, so we’re publishing both cities, with Orlando coming out first. When one thinks of Central Florida, most people probably think of Disneyworld or other theme parks, and orange groves. There are a LOT of things to see and do in this part of Florida, which is why it is so popular with visitors. Surprisingly, good maps of the region are few, as we discovered during the IMTA map conference there a couple of years ago. Frustrated by inaccurate freebie maps and discouraged by the simplistic maps available from commercial firms, we’ve tried to create a ‘break-through’ map, combining the various attractions immediately surrounding Orlando itself, such as a detailed map of the Disneyland complex, the Universal Studios’ amazing theme area, and the hotel strip along Interstate 4, and including a detailed map of Orlando itself. The reverse side contains an updated edition of our Central Florida map, covering all the attractions between saint Petersburg and the Suncoast to Cape Canaveral and the Space Coast, and from Lake Okeechobee in the south to Tavares in the north. AVAILABLE

Paris and Northern France 2^nd Ed. 2009 is at press and due in late October.

Quebec Province, Canada, Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2009 is at press, due in December.

Shanghai and South East China Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2009 1:16,000/1:2,500,000 ISBN 9781553416883 UPC 815534168801 $10.95cdn/us, E7.95 6.50GBP – This updated map of rapidly-changing Shanghai has been enhanced in this edition by being printed on ITM waterproof plastic paper and by the addition of a separate map on the reverse side of all of South East China. The regional map covers from Nanning to Beijing, so perhaps covers a wider area than just Fujian and Guangdong provinces, but this is a much more detailed map than anything we have attempted before, and is an excellent aid to anyone based in Shanghai and thinking of travelling to Xi’an, or Guilin, as well as closer destinations. The Shanghai side has been updated with the latest road and subway additions including, for the first time on any map, the route of the new MAGLEV line being built through the southern part of the city. Double-sided, on ITM plastic, AVAILABLE.

South Africa Travel Reference Map, inc. Lesotho & Swaziland 3^rd Ed. 2009 1:1,500,000 ISBN 9781553414063 UPC 815534140630 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 7.50GBP – Prepared on waterproof ITM plastic paper, this latest edition of our popular ITM map of South Africa has had a complete face-lift, cartographically. The hypsometry (contouring colouration) is much more sharply defined, the rivers more visible, and the roads defined more accurately by quality. The country’s growing stretches of motorway have also been updated. AVAILABLE

Sudan Travel Reference Map 3^rd Ed. 2008 3^rd Ed. 2009 1:2,500,000 ISBN 9781553414162 UPC 815534141606 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 7.50GBP – This latest edition comes out at a time when a good map of the largest country in Africa needs a good map the most. Sudan is not a country with an improving infrastructure, nor is it one of the safest countries for travellers. However, its position in Africa makes it pivotal to the politics and ethnicity of much of northeastern Africa, and its importance can be gauged by the fact that this ITMB title is already into its third edition. It is one of the most difficult countries in the world to map, simply because so much of it is difficult to enter. We wish to dedicate this map to those brave souls who continue to provide food and medical support for all the peoples of Sudan – the humanitarians, whose contributions have made this map possible. AVAILABLE

Zambia Travel Reference Map 4^th Ed. 2008 1:1,500,000 ISBN 9781553414650 UPC 815534146595 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 7.50GBP – Tourism to Zambia is at an all-time high, thanks to the utter collapse of neighbouring Zimbabwe. Why? Well, Victoria Falls is easily accessible from Livingstone, and Zambia has ramped up its tourism infrastructure to take advantage of the pent up demand to see one of the great wonders of the world. Zambia is also proving to be a stable and reasonably democratic state, and progressing accordingly. This map updates everything we have been able to find about the country. Printed on paper, single-sided; AVAILABLE.

OTHER RECENT TITLES

Belize Travel Reference Map, hard covered version (re-introduced) ISBN 9781553411352 $8.95cdn/us E6.95 4.99GBP – AVAILABLE.

Bhutan Travel Reference Map 3^rd Edition 2008 1:380,000 ISBN 9781553411390 UPC 815534113900 $12.95cnd/us E8.95 6.99GBP  ISBN change; AVAILABLE.

Bowron Lakes Canoe Route 1^st Ed. 2008 1:50,000 ISBN 9781553418511 $14.95cdn/us AVAILABLE

Brisbane and Queensland Travel Referecne Map 1^st Ed. 2008 1:10,000/1:3,600,000 ISBN 9781553416265 UPC 815534162601 $10.95cdn/us, E7.95 6.50GBP AVAILABLE.

Cairo and Nile Delta Travel Reference Map 2^nd Edition 2008 1:12,500/1:700,000 ISBN 9781553416258 UPC 815534162526 $12.95cdn/us E8.95 6.99GBP  AVAILABLE.

Canadian Rockies Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2008 1:250,000 ISBN 9781553418887 UPC 815534188878 $14.95cdn/us, E8.95 6.99GBP AVAILABLE

Cariboo Chilcotin (BC) Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2008 1:300,000 ISBN 9781553419808 UPC 815534198044 $9.95cdn/us E7.95 5.99GBP –  AVAILABLE.

Cuba Travel Reference Map 5^th Ed. 2008 1:600,000 ISBN 9781553411864 UPC 815534118622 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 6.99GBP AVAILABLE

Italy Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2008 1:800,000 ISBN 9781553412588 UPC 815534125835 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 6.99GBP AVAILABLE

Italy North EastTravel Reference Map 1^st Edition 2008 1:250,000 ISBN 9781553410720 UPC 815534107268 $12.95cdn/us E8.95 6.99GBP – AVAILABLE.

Jordan and Syria Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2008 1:700,000/1:850,000 ISBN 9781553414247 UPC 815534142412 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 6.99GBP AVAILABLE

Northwest Territories, Canada, Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2008 1:1,300,000 ISBN 9781553418429 UPC 815534184252 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 6.99GBP –  AVAILABLE.

Okanagan/Shuswap Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2008 1:300,000 ISBN 9781553418702 UPC 815534187000 $9.95cdn/us, E7.95 5.99GBP AVAILABLE.

Peru South and Lima (re-introduced) Travel Reference Map 1^st Edition ISBN 9781553413653 $10.95cdn/us E7.95 5.99GBP – AVAILABLE.

Revelstoke National Park Region 1^st Ed. 2008 1:50,000 ISBN 9781553418504 $14.95cdn/us AVAILABLE

Sicily Travel Reference Map 1^st Edition 2008 1:250,000 ISBN 9781553410713 UPC 815534107183 $12.95cdn/us E8.95 6.99GBP – AVAILABLE.

South America Travel Atlas 1^st Ed. 2008 1:3,000,000 ISBN 9781553410980 UPC 815534109804 $19.95cdn/us, E14.95 10.99GBP – AVAILABLE

Sri Lanka/South India Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2008 1:475,000 ISBN 9781553414124 UPC 815534141286 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 6.99GBP AVAILABLE.

Strathcona Plateau/Buttle Lake (BC Topo/Rec) Map 1^st Ed. 2008 1:250,000 $14.95 cdn/us AVAILABLE

Syria and Jordan Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2008 – see Jordan, above AVAILABLE.

Tweedsmuir Provincial Park Region 1^st Ed. 2008 1:250,000 ISBN 9781553418894 $14.95cdn/us AVAILABLE

ITMB TITLES: BETWEEN EDITIONS AND WORK IN PROGRESS

Cameroun is now out of stock. A new Cameroun and Gabon map is at press, due in December.

Paris is out of stock. A new Paris and Northern France map is at press, due December.