World Maps by Years

Explore the forces behind the shaping of our planet. This fascinating map explains the various forms of tectonic activity such as hot spots, accretion, subduction, and spreading. It also shows the locations of volcanoes and earthquakes of 6.0 magnitude or greater that occurred during 1975-1985. Published in August 1985 as half of a two–map set with "The Shaping of a Continent: North America's Active West", and as a companion to the article "Our Restless Planet Earth."

Half of a two-map set, the "Shaping of a Continent: North America's Active West" map features detail of the one of the most active tectonic areas in the world. Published in August 1985, this map accompanied the "Earth's Dynamic Crust" map and the article "Our Restless Planet Earth."

The "Threading the Islands" map explores two possible routes of Columbus's journey and possible landing sites. The Morisson track asserts that the explorer landed on San Salvador, while the Judge track favors Samana Cay. This map was printed in November 1986 to accompany three articles on Columbus and the "Where Did Columbus Discover America?" map. A fascinating new look at a centuries-old question.

This map of the United States region of the Carolinas, Virginia, and neighboring states contains an abundance of historical sites and notes. Published in June 1988 as half of a two–map set in the "Making of America" series.

An area teeming with activity since the English settlement of Jamestown, the Tidewater region includes the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. The Tidewater and Environs map, published in June 1988, provides a wealth of historical information about this vital maritime region. Part of the "Making of America" series, this map represents Side Two in a two-piece set.

This world map combines the classic National Geographic cartographic style with several stunning inset maps to provide a comprehensive look at our planet. Insets include Eastern and Western Hemisphere physical geography, Religions of the World, and Population maps. Published on the National Geographic centennial in December 1988 as a companion to the article "Earth '88: Will We Mend Our Earth?"

This amazing map introduces the issues and challenges surrounding our Endangered Earth as we navigate a historical transition between a world inherited and one profoundly different -- a global biosphere whose vital functions we have altered. Published in December 1988, on the 100th anniversary of the National Geographic Society.

Explore the fascinating world of the Maya with this map published in October 1989. This map accompanied the "Land of the Maya" map in the same issue and three articles on the Maya including "La Ruta Maya." This work features an abundance of information about trade, travel, and the landscape of their civilization, including an explanation of the various eras of Maya history.

This map of the Holy Land features beautiful cartography combined with copious historic, religious, and geographic facts about this land of faith and conflict. Printed in December 1989 as part of the "Special Places of the World" series.

Half of a two-page layout on the Holy Land, this educational supplement teems with details of the history of the land held sacred by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. An extraordinary illustration of Jerusalem notes important sites and the Crossroads of Empires inset reveals the history of the region's occupation. Printed in December 1989, this work stands alone or perfectly compliments the map of the Holy Land that appeared in the same issue.

A beautiful companion to the Solar System map that appeared in the same issue, this compelling work illustrates the varied faces of the planets in our solar system. Published in August 1990 with two articles, "Neptune: Voyager's Last Picture Show" and "Voyage of the Century," this work shows the planets scaled to relative size, their portraits made from actual images taken from various spacecraft.

The "Water: Precious Resource" map contains a wealth of information on surface water, ground water, water pollution, and water usuage. This map was published in National Geographic in November 1993 in a special issue devoted to water. A map of the United States also accompanied it.