Details About Globes

Some frequently asked questions

There are a few details about globes you'd benefit by learning before you can use your globe to its full capabilities.

How do you find a location on a world globe?

The first details about globes you need to know are the location and purpose of the equator and the prime meridian.

Equator and Prime Meridian

Because a world globe is round with no beginning or end, there are two imaginary reference lines from which all distances and locations can be plotted: the equator and the prime meridian.

The equator runs east and west and dissects a globe in its exact middle. The prime meridian runs north and south through the Poles and passes through Greenwich, England.

Latitude and longitude

The point of intersection of the equator and the prime meridian is where the numbering of latitude and longitude lines begins. Latitude and longitude are the angular distance (represented in degrees and minutes) of a place in reference to the intersection of the equator and prime meridian. For example, Dallas, Texas is located 33° north (latitude) 97° west (longitude).

Why are some globes tan and some blue?

Typically, tan globes are have the appearance of antiques and are preferred when the globe is to be used as a decorative accessory because tan is a neutral color that complements almost any home or office decor.

The tan background of a world globe is actually modeled after an ancient parchment to give the globe an antique or "Old World" look. Most often, the geographic information is up-to-date and these details about globes are done primarily for their aesthetic appeal.

World globes geared toward the youth or educational markets usually feature a stylized realism. Ocean areas are colored blue and geographical and political boundaries are represented with colorful, highly contrasting fields.

How many different world maps does Replogle use to render their globes?

Currently, Replogle, the world's largest manufacturer of globes, uses 35 different maps. This large number is due to the fact that they must use different maps for different sizes of their educational world globes.

The style, language, and instances where customers supply their own maps to create private label world globes also factors into this number.

What is the purpose of that dial at the North Pole on my educational world globe?

That dial is called a time dial. It is one of the details about globes used to compare time around the world.

What is that metal ring around the middle of some globes?

Most educational world globes represent the equator with a metal ring in the middle of the globe. These metal details about globes serve as 0° latitude and, in some constructions, also help to hold the globes together.

What do the bumps on some globes mean?

These particular details about globes are called raised relief and are used to better emphasize the mountainous areas of the world. They are intended to help you see and feel the mountains - although their height is not to scale with the real mountain ranges.

Raised relief details about globes are found primarily on 9 inch, 12 inch, and 16 inch diameter non-illuminated globes. Maintaining any degree of accuracy on smaller sized globes is difficult and the method of manufacturing very large diameter educational world globes does not lend itself to incorporating this feature.

A globe can serve as both a valuable learning tool and handsome room decoration. Familiarizing yourself with some details about globes will help you get the most out of your globe.

More information on world globes