| Why are globes tilted?
Many Replogle® globes are made to tilt at an
angle of 23º to match the actual tilt of the Earth.
Incidentally, it is this tilting of the Earth, relative to the
sun as it orbits around it, that causes the seasons to change
and give us more daylight hours at certain times of the year.
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How do you find a place
on a globe?
Because a globe is round with no beginning
or end, there are 2 imaginary reference lines from which all
distances and locations are determined; these are the equator
and prime meridian.
Equator: Runs East and West around
the exact middle of the globe.
Prime Meridian: Imaginary line
running from Pole to Pole and passing through Greenwich,
England.
Both the equator and the prime meridian
intersect at point ‘0’ where all numbering starts with longitude
and latitude lines.
Longitude: Imaginary lines running
parallel with the prime meridian through each Pole and numbered
in 15º increments.
Latitude: Imaginary lines running
around the globe parallel to the equator at 10º increments.
Locations are uniquely identified on a
globe by the point where the longitude and latitude lines
intersect, i.e., Dallas Texas is located 33º North (Latitude)
97º West (Longitude).
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What's the difference
between the blue and tan colored globes?
The ‘TAN’ globes are Antique
in appearance and are preferred when the globe is to be used as
a decorative accessory because the more neutral tan color
complements almost any home or office décor. The ‘TAN’
background or ocean is actually produced from a reproduction of
an ancient parchment to give it the Antique or ‘Old
World’ look…the geographic information is up-to-date and
this Antiqued treatment is done primarily for its
aesthetic appeal.
The ‘BLUE’ globes, while also
political, have the ocean areas in a blue (water) color and
usually consist of highly contrasting, colorful, political
boundaries. The youth market normally prefers such globes.
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How many different maps
do we use?
Currently we use 35 different maps. This
is due to the different sizes of our globes, the style types,
languages, and because some customers supply their own maps to
us for private label globes.
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How do you clean a
Replogle Globe?
Our globes have a special coating designed
to protect the globe ball and enhance its appearance. Because
this finish is washable, you could use a crayon or a soft wax
pencil on the surface. Markings can be wiped off with a
moistened cleansing tissue or soft, damp cloth. Household dust
can be removed with a dry cloth, though you may wish
occasionally to use a slightly dampened cloth to remove
fingerprints or smudges. A mild, non-abrasive product is
recommended for difficult marks. Do not use industrial or even
household cleaners that contain alcohol or any solvent.
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Where can you buy a
replacement light bulb for Replogle products?
Any hardware or lighting store. Some of
our illuminated globes use a 25 watt candelabra light bulb and
others require a standard light bulb. Please follow these
guidelines for globes requiring a standard light bulb. Please do
not use more than a 75watt bulb for a 32” globe, 40watt bulb for
a 20” globe, and 15watts for a 12” globe..
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What is that little
round dial at the North Pole?
It’s called a TIME DIAL—used to
compare time around the world.
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Why do some globes have
a metal ring or semi-ring around them?
Most Replogle® globes have a metal
ring either full circle or half (semi) circle. These are called
MERIDIANS and they are generally numbered in degrees from 0º at
the equator to 90º at either Pole. Originally, meridians were
used to help locate positions on the globe, but since
Replogle® globes have the longitude and latitude lines on
the maps, the numbers on the meridian have become less
important, but the ring itself still serves to hold the globe
ball in position.
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How do we choose names
for our globes?
Subject to space limitations, we attempt
to list all nations, all the capitals, then the biggest city in
that country or state, or an important city. There are more
names on the coastline because there is room for them, and we
are trying to fill space as well. We try not to abbreviate names
because that would lead to confusion for our customers. If a
city has some importance other than size or a capital, then it’s
added. The US Government has a list of names for cities and
countries outside North America that they call ‘conventional’
names. This is easier for us to understand than the true
translation…and is why our maps show Finland, for example—rather
than Suomi.
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What are the bumps on
some globes and why aren't they on all globes?
The ‘bumps’ are called raised relief and
better emphasize the mountainous areas of the world. They are
there so that you can ‘SEE & FEEL’ the
mountains—although their actual height on the globe does not
have any relationship to the true relative heights of the
mountain ranges. Raised relief is found on 9", 12" and 16"
diameter non-illuminated globes. On the smaller globe, it would
be difficult to maintain any degree of accuracy. On a very large
diameter globe, i.e., 20" & 32", the method of manufacturing
doesn’t lend itself to incorporating this feature.
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Why a globe instead of
an atlas?
Actually, an atlas complements the globe
and the globe complements the atlas. Each has features that,
when used together, become an excellent reference and teaching
tool. The advantage of a globe is that the world in its entirety
is depicted on a sphere. As well as being functional, many
globes also serve as attractive decorative accessories for homes
and offices.
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How up-to-date is the
globe?
Replogle® has a policy of updating a map
every time it’s printed. Although the names or boundaries of
countries can change due to wars or other political upheavals,
most changes are simple name changes that are relatively easy to
make. Our policy is that when the US State Department—along with
the representatives (usually the Embassies of the governments
involved), recognizes the changes as being a fact, we then start
to implement the changes into our system. Generally, the 9" and
12" diameter globes are the first sizes to show up in the field
with the changes, followed by the 16" models and other sizes.
This can be anywhere from six months to a year—depending on the
field inventory. There can be no absolute guarantee that any map
is 100% current, but this should not be a deterrent to the
purchase because the real value of a globe is to show true,
geographical relationships.
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