…But before we get to the maps, does any of this apply to you?
- Spent a longer-than-average amount of time stopped at the posted trail maps while on a hike in a National Park
- Seen a photo of a beautiful location and immediate need to find where it is located – typically so that you can pin it for a future trip
- After looking up quick fact on Wikipedia, found yourself clicking on location/geography-specific link after link on a never-ending quest to learn more – and often forgetting what you were looking up in the first place…
- Pinched and swiped through Google Maps so much the website crashes your browser (maybe I just need a new computer…)
- Found yourself scrolling through r/MapPorn on Reddit for entirely too long
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, you’re in the right place!
Here’s a map to hold you over until we get to the fun stuff – this is of Southern Switzerland. The interactive version overlays trails and mountain huts you can book for a multi-day hike.
And if you didn’t answer yes to any of the above, you’re still welcome too 🙂
When I was 7 years old, I started directing my family through city streets and train networks to find museums and restaurants. When I was 8 years old, my parents gave me this huge, nearly 10 lbs atlas that I spent HOURS gazing though, meticulously searching cover-to-cover for some new place or interesting fact.
Fast-forward to today, this passion never died. I link this back to an inherent urge to always know where I was and where I was going…to bring a little of context to my world. Naturally, I gravitated towards maps as they helped both ground me in the present and look towards the future.
Whenever I come across a map – whether transit, topographical, migratory paths, trails – I always stop to learn more.
I started this blog to gather the most-interesting, unique maps I’ve come across and provide more fodder for others like me – who are looking to contextualize where they are and where they want to go!
What you can expect from Globe Charting
Maps, maps, maps, some writing, and more unique maps. In each post, I’ll feature one interesting map that I’ve come across and provide:
Context as to where the map is in the country/region/world
Three high-level facts about the map, from origin, to its impact on human/animal life around
A custom Google Map to help you explore the map/regions around it on your own
Additional sources so that you can continue your journey
Sound good? Let’s start Globe Charting!
Who am I?
My name is Steve.
I am a serial Google Map scroller, novice blog writer, endless explorer and always searching for a new map.
You can probably find me telling my family and friends some obscure fact about some geographical feature I just read about – typically followed by many eye rolls behind my back.
My favorite map?
The Venice Vaporetto route map – its colorful and functional, but also designed to look like a typical subway/metro map when really its a system of ferries…definitely one-of-a-kind!
