I want a digital world map that has:
1)fairly high resolution
2) all the major cities and contriesin the world (you know, the usual
medium wall size map they sell in printed version)

I don't want to carry a troublesome world map around. I want them in
computer so that I can magnify and wonder around the world (with my
eyes and mouse).

---

Clarification of Question by chiwanese-ga on 29 May 2004 16:00 PDT

BTW, I currently own a digital copy of Britannica Encyclopaedia. It
also has world maps, but not the kind I want. I want one image file
(like PDF) that I can scroll arond. Also, hopefully it's free or
cheap.

Thank you.

Hi chiwanese!!


I think that I found what are you looking for at the "CIA - The World
Factbook" website. The political world map is in pdf format and its
dimensions are 1219.2 x 889mm (48"x35").
When you open it just use the zoom feature to enlarge it to 100% of
its size (or whatever % of size you like).
The link of the map is: (1.75 mb aprox)
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/reference_maps/pdf/political_world.pdf


At this site you have more maps available, just visit the "Reference Maps" page:
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/docs/refmaps.html


If you like geography you can download CIA's "The World Factbook 2003"
and the "Factbook on Intelligence" from its download page:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/download.html

Here is the link to the "CIA - The World Factbook" site homepage:
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html


I hope this helps you. If you need a clarification please request for
it before rate this question, I will gladly respond to your requests.

Regards.
livioflores-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by livioflores-ga on 30 May 2004 06:56 PDT

Thank you for the good rating and, that is funny but the "other guy",
that provide the ESRI map source was ME!! JaJa!!.
I am so glad that you found what are you looking for with us and hope
that this lead you to use this service in the future.

Regards.
livioflores-ga

You found what I wanted and even provided more of other resources.
This is great! Thank you. Yet, some comments from other people opened
my eyes more. Especially that Java program from ESRI. Well, good job,
still!

I like Perry-Castaņeda Library's Map Collection.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/world.html
There are many maps in different formats including PDF.

ra_ar

Yes, this is a great source of maps, but note that the searched maps
were produced by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.

If you enjoy exploring the world throught maps, visit this page:
"The Shaded Relief Map of the World":
Zoom in and out of this map of the world, shows Longitude and Latitude
of your choice. (Java required)
http://maps.esri.com/srmap/applet/srmap.html

And also visit the "ESRI Internet Mapping Demos" page:
http://maps.esri.com/

Regards.
livioflores-ga

Thanks also to the commentators. I like especially the java game.

In general, I guess I can only get maps detailed to few major cities.
Although I hoped maps with more details (intrastate boundaries, major
rail roads), but I guess the existence of such maps in digital forms
will drive all the map-printing companies out of business.

*shrug

World bookshelves are groaning under the weight of atlases which
feature everything from Mercator projections of the world zooming down
to 1 inch = 500feet detailed maps of individual cities. I find it hard
to believe that a world-class digitized atlas has yet to be produced,
either commercially or by a Government agency.