AXIS OF EVIL MAPPING NEWSLETTER #8: end of September, 2010

NEW TITLES FOR THIS MONTH!

Australia, Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Haiti, New Zealand, Venezuela, and Virgin Islands.

The Axis of Evil Mapping Newsletter is released irregularly. Any opinions expressed are strictly those of myself and are not intended to provoke anything more than the intellect.

INTRODUCTION

            September begins our travel ‘season’. Lan, Jiri, and myself attended the IMTA conference in Washington, DC, and combined that trip with a visit to Florida, which we used to advantage to update our artwork for four titles, and a brief visit to the Bahamas. Our new map of that country is being released this month, so we couldn’t use the trip to update it, but we did find some useful information to add to the next edition. At the beginning of October, we fly to Germany to participate in the Frankfurt Book Fair (stand 3.1 L 655) and hope to see lots of friendly faces. After the fair ends, we will be flying to Lebanon to gather, we hope, further information on that lovely country before we send the map to press. We hope to visit Brasil this winter, as well as Vietnam, and we’ve already committed to Italy, London, Palm Springs, and Bangkok for next year.

THE PLUNGING BUYING VALUE OF THE US DOLLAR

            Don’t we all know it; the dollar isn’t as strong as it used to be! Since 9/11, the dollar has dropped in value in relation to the Euro by 34.5% (111.6 eurocents to 73.5 eurocents as of Sept. 29^th) and shows signs of further erosion. This affects the map trade in that maps imported from Europe are paid for with Euros, so are significantly more expensive to purchase than was the case only a few years ago. Those publishers who foolishly pre-price maps are largely unaware of the higher landing costs in America because their production costs have been relatively stable for the past decade. They see little reason to change pre-printed prices, because they don’t have to buy expensive Euros to pay for the maps and the shipping, which is also priced in Euros. Price structures determined in 2005 have no more relevance in 2010 than the price structures that were used in 1990. If a product costs a third more to purchase, either the discount has to increase proportionately or the end price has to increase. No publisher could increase discounts to any significant extent, and no importer can stay in business by losing a third of the margin, which means that the polite fiction known as a pre-printed suggested price has become irrelevant. ITM/Mapline does not consider obsolete pre-priced figures on maps as being relevant. Any buyer is welcome to sell at that price, but why would any retailer want to lose money? We are importers of lines and have to pay for our purchases in Euros. Our sale prices are based on our landed costs. We are not in business to sell maps at a loss. Sorry, that sounds blunt, but it’s true. As long as the US dollar continues to decline in value in relation to the Euro, European-made maps will cost more. Anyone selling them for sub-economic prices will go out of business. Keep saying Map link, Treaty Oak, Langenscheidt over and over again.

FLORIDA, BEAUTIFUL FLORIDA

            Imagine three sun-deprived Canadians off-loading at Orlando International Airport, coming from rainy 13c weather to air humid enough to drink and temperatures in the 30s (celsius – that’s close to 94F). Orlando is the Number One travel destination in the world, thanks to its many theme parks. We went to Sea World, which we figured would be the least crowded, and had to say to ourselves “What recession?!?” It was packed with people, to the extent that we could not get in to many of the marine display areas, but we saw the Orca whales, the dolphins, the walruses sunning themselves, and became thoroughly drenched by water splashing over one of the tanks as an enormous mammal playfully swished its tail in passing.

            Our main reason for spending some time in Florida was not entertainment, but ground truthing. A little-known fact about ITMB is that we publish 6 different maps of Florida, and 3 more that include the state, so we spent most of our time driving west, south, and east to check the information on our maps against an ever-changing reality. Florida is investing billions of dollars in a long-term infrastructural road improvement program, and we were able to document many miles of new ‘twinned’ roads, a motorway extension, and increased density resort accommodation all along the Atlantic Coast. One evening, we stopped for dinner at a very nice place in the Florida Keys. As we were leaving, the owner actually thanked us for coming in. He said that his business had dropped by 30% for the past three years due to fewer tourists visiting Florida and that he really, really, appreciated our business. It made me want to go back for a second visit!  

MAP LINK’S SAGA CONTINUES

            It appears that Map Link has found a buyer for its assets. East View Cartographics has purchased whatever assets remain in the company for an undisclosed sum. As somebody who knows a lot about Map Link and its fall from grace, I can only hope that the new buyers did not pay more than the price offered to me almost three years ago – free; just take over the mess and sort it out. It wasn’t a good deal then, and ML is much less viable now than it was three years ago. Needless to say, the new owner has been convinced that viability exists. Had he talked with some of the publishing houses that had been ripped off by Map Link, he may have thought twice. He should have thought twice. Regardless, it’s a done deal and Bill Hunt is now off the hook for two point four million dollars worth of debt he accumulated. The new owner is going to find it somewhat difficult to persuade companies that have just had more than two million dollars stolen from them to roll over and start re-supplying Map Link, just because it has a new owner. Maybe some owners don’t object to massive corporate theft, but I do. Map Link owes my firm $33,000. Until outstanding invoices are paid, their account is on hold.

DOLPH MAPS SHUTTING DOWN         

            A well-established publisher of street maps of Florida and its many urban areas has apparently decided that the time has come to discontinue doing so. This is regrettable, of course, but is symptomatic of two parallel realities for publishers and retailers alike. The first ‘downside’ stream is the on-going economic recession, which is hitting the entire travel industry very hard. I was in Florida last week, and the relative lack of tourists was quite noticeable. The second ‘downside’ is technological change. There’s no doubt that electronic means of geographical orientation, which is a fancy way of saying googled maps and GPS, are impacting on traditional paper maps of cities in particular. There is still a strong demand for paper maps, but specific markets are suffering more than others at the moment, and it with deep regret that I note the decision of Dolph to change direction.

GMJ Maps: A NEW LINE OF MAPS FOR DISTRIBUTION

             ITM/Mapline is pleased to advise that we are now actively distributing the growing line of US city maps published by GMJ/Guy Johnson Maps. Currently, this represents approximately 250 high-quality titles of cities and counties from all over the USA. Those in the States know that it would take thousands of titles to cover every urban area in America, and that long-established firms such as AAA, AMC/Universal/ADC, and Rand McNally have more titles, but guess where a lot of that artwork comes from? You’re right, GMJ, which has never been marketed to bookstores or been marketed by a professional distribution network. GMJ sells thousands of maps each month to convenience stores, gas stations, and truck stops, and over the past two decades, has sold millions of maps. The line is easily recognized, and of very high standard, but in the past it has always been marketed via local distributors who service convenience level retailers, but not book stores or outdoor sporting goods outlets or libraries or government agencies. That’s where we come in. We can now supply you with Michigan’s Thumb!!!

            We can also supply these maps to international customers in Europe and other parts of the world. While it is unlikely that much demand exists outside of local markets for Chico, CA, or Fredericksburg, VA, inside the States there IS a demand for such titles For that matter, there is a demand in Canada for many of these titles: Kari, of Olof’s Maps, could probably use a couple of copies of Michigan’s Thumb, and he’d know what it meant!   

SOME FUN TO BREAK THE MOOD!

            While in Florida, we were regaled with the never-ending electioneering that is so much a part of American life. One attractive young lady was running for Mosquito Control Commissioner in one district. She had the biggest sign we saw in all of Florida – a humungous 6 foot by 10 foot poster on the back of a flatbed truck, smiling at passing highway traffic passing by. However, I had to ask myself why anyone, let alone a gorgeous snippet of a girl, would WANT to be in charge of a horde of mosquitoes, and I must admit, I fail to see why such a post is elective. Control mosquito breeding by all means, but ELECT somebody to do so? Bizarre! She’d be a shoo-in if her picture showed her holding a fly-swatter! We have an expression in Canada – For every dead mosquito in the hand, there are two more in the bush that will be along presently!

            Is it only me or has anyone else noticed that airports in the USA are busier than for the past several years? This recent trip involved three changes of plane in each direction and the crowds were noticeably higher than I recall for many years. Granted, our leg towards Florida was on the Labour Day weekend, so one expected more activity, but the return leg was in the middle of the week, and even busier, and most travelers looked like business types, not vacationers. We even happened upon a planeload of World War II veterans heading home from a visit to Washington, being entertained by a large group of volunteers who danced jitterbug and big band dances for an hour while they were waiting to board their flight back to Tennessee. Even some of the vets got up and danced. It brought the entire boarding area to a halt, but nobody minded. Lan was busy taking pictures, and I was just standing around looking when one Washington type approached me and thanked me for bringing these vets to participate in the 9/11 remembrance services. Even at an airport in a foreign country, people just assume that I’m in charge!

NEW ITMB ARTWORK UNDER DEVELOPMENT or AT PRESS

Ethiopia is almost out of stock.

Ghana is almost out of stock.

Indonesia is out of stock. It is in the process of being updated and should be available again in October.

Kenya is almost out of stock.

Lebanon is out of stock and being updated and re-worked into a double-sided map, with the Lebanon side being expanded to a full-sized sheet and the reverse side being a brand new and detailed map of Beirut at 1:8,500 scale. Lan and I are planning to make a special trip to the country in October, to check information.

Mali is almost out of stock.

Mexico South is out of stock. It is being moved to a new platform language in a modernization process, as well as being updated, which is almost complete, so should be available in late September or early October.

Pakistan is out of stock and being updated. No ETA is available.

Patagonia is out of stock and being updated. No ETA is available.

Peru is almost out of stock.

Philippines is almost out of stock.

Russia is almost out of stock.

Senegal is out of stock and almost completed updating.

Tanzania is out of stock and being updated. No ETA is available.

Tunisia is out of stock. We are re-working it into a double-sided map with Libya. No ETA is available.

NEW TITLES August and September, 2010

Australia Travel Reference Map 6^th Ed. 2010 1:3,500,000 on waterproof ITM paper ISBN 9781553411215 UPC 815534112187 $10.95cdn/us, E8.95 7.99GBP – This was a minor update to Australia, and we’ve kept the same cover picture. The changes may be less important than the price, which has been decreased for this edition only for the North American market to stimulate demand. As a result, the ISBN has changed. At $10.95, this map is a bargain – updated, double-sided, and printed waterproof paper for durability. The map also contains excellent inset maps of Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. It never ceases to amaze me how many editions some of our maps have gone through. At the start of this new edition, we have sold 25,000 copies of this title and are on our way to 30,000.

Bahamas Travel Reference Map 4^th Ed. 2011 1:500,000 on waterproof ITM paper ISBN 9781553411239 UPC 815534112347 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 7.99GBP – This is actually a brand new map for ITMB, being completely new artwork. The Bahamas is one of the most touristic Caribbean island countries, with huge resort complexes in Nassau and in Freeport. We visited Grand Bahama Island earlier this month and can attest to the friendliness of the people and the attractiveness of the island. This map shows all of the many islands that comprise The Bahamas. There isn’t a lot of contouring, as the country’s highest point is only 36 feet above sea level. An inset map expanding the island of New Providence, and separate inset maps of Nassau and of Freeport, are included. The map is double-sided, east half-west half, printed on waterproof paper for durability, and is AVAILABLE.

Canada Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2010 1:6,000,000 ISBN 9781553411581 UPC 815534115874 $9.95cdn/us, E8.95 7.99GBP Well, it’s about time, eh?!? ITMB, after only thirty years on the go, finally gets around to publishing a map of Canada. When we first started mapping, there was a pressing need for good maps of Central and South America, then of Africa, then etc et and we never found time to concentrate on our own country until fairly recently. This map was prepared by Natural Resources Canada and is, as a result, as accurate a map as one could hope to have. We are very proud of it, and very pleased to be able to use such top-rate cartography. The map covers all of the land mass of Canada, from its southernmost point to the top of Ellesmere Island and from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific. It’s an excellent map, but I’m going to give one proviso. Canada is the second-largest country on the face of the planet and there is no way that a single-sided sheet can portray a country this vast comprehensively. That said, it’s a great map. CMO doesn’t make a bad map. We published it because we feel that it fills a big niche. It shows major roads, rail lines, lots of urban areas (not just the big ones), major tourist sites and parks, world heritage sites, and it even includes St. Pierre et Miquelon, the French possession south of Newfoundland. It is printed on paper and is AVAILABLE!

Dominican Republic and Haiti Travel Reference Map 5^th Ed. 2011 1:350,000/400,000 on waterproof ITM paper, ISBN 9781553411741 UPC 815534117496 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 7.99GBP – This map has been a difficult update, coming in the midst of the turmoil in Haiti caused by the earthquake in the spring of 2010. This is actually two separate maps sharing a single sheet of paper. The Dom Rep side was fairly straight-forward to update, as there has been little change, but the Haiti side needed a lot of time and energy. The earthquake revealed a previously unrealized reality – nobody had any information on Haiti. Our map was the only one in existence, and it proved to be too weak to meet the needs of humanitarian groups. They, however, provided a wealth of useful information as they reached out to isolated villages about road conditions, spelling of place names, and actual locations, which we have added to our artwork. This is a work in progress, so don’t expect perfection, but this map is far better than anything anyone has ever done for this country previously. We also have a vastly improved inset map of Port-au-Prince, the capital. Double-sided, printed on plastic, AVAILABLE.

Havana and Western Cuba Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2011 1:10,000/1:600,000 ISBN 9781553416388 UPC 815534163844 $10.95cdn/us, E7.95 7.99 GBP – This newly-updated double-sided map offers an updated Havana City touristic-sites map on one side, and a lovely western portion of Cuba on the other. It should be quite popular. Havana, interesting though it is, does not in itself constitute sufficient interest. Visitors go to Cuba, and visit Havana while there. Hence, the idea of a map of the immediate surrounds of the capital city, going from east of the Varadero resort complex to the westernmost corners of the island, showing all touristic attractions. This map is perfect for visitors to the resorts in the west of Cuba to have both an excellent map of the city and a map for all their travel needs in the area of Cuba most likely to be toured. AVAILABLE.

Kyoto and Japan South Travel Reference Map 2^nd Ed. 2011 1:12,500/1:1,100,000 ISBN 9781553412700 UPC 815534127020 $10.95cdn/us, E7.95 7.99GBP – This map should really be called Kyoto, Nara, and Southern Japan, because that is what is on the map, but the title would be too long. Both Kyoto and Nara are extremely important areas in Japanese culture. They are heritage cities and a ‘must see’ for anyone visiting Japan. In line with our policy of adding value to maps, this map also includes an excellent regional map of the south of Japan, which we have generously decided stretches from Tokyo west to Nagasaki, and south to the bottom of Kyushu Island. This map includes the best touristic area in an otherwise complicated country to visit. Most tourists concentrate on the western, or more southerly, areas of Japan, and this map shows both Kyoto and Nara to excellent advantage, and as a bonus, is also a map of the railways and attractions west and south of Tokyo itself. This is an excellent practical map. AVAILABLE.

New Zealand Travel Reference Map 6^th Ed. 2011 1:950,000 on ITM waterproof paper ISBN 9781553413547 UPC 815534135476 $12.95cdn/us, E8.95 7.99GBP - This is a modest update to a very good-selling product. The cover picture has changed, as has the ISBN, but this is not a country of rapid change, and this was a fairly-recently updated map anyway, so there won’t be any dramatic changes to the artwork. We considered removing Christchurch from the map, following their recent earthquake, but apparently the town is still there. It’s the liveliest thing that’s happened to Christchurch in its history! Printed double-sided on ITM paper; AVAILABLE.

Saint Lucia Travel Reference Map is at press and expected in October.

South America North Travel Reference Map (replacing South America North West) 5^th Ed. 2011 1:3,850,000 ISBN 9781553410782 UPC 815534107855 $12.95cdn/us E8.95 7.99GBP – This map is brand new and is another brilliant cartographic coup for Lan and our production staff. She has come up with a way to preserve the wonderfully detailed artwork of the original version first published in 1980 by Kevin Healey, the co-founder of ITMB, and subsequently published by ITMB in four succeeding updated editions. We retired the artwork several years ago, feeling that the market preferred more detailed country maps, but repeated requests for a map of this nature convinced us to have a look at it again. This map replaces the former map of North West South America at a better scale than was previously thought possible and with the additional benefit of covering ALL of the northern half of South America on a double sided sheet. We have also re-introduced the capsule comments so loved by map aficionados in past years. This map is ideal for travelers concentrating their activities on this part of South America. It is quite clear for a map of this scale, yet it contains a tremendous amount of information. It also graphically shows how few motorway-type roads there are in this part of the world. AVAILABLE.

United States of America (USA) Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2011 1:2,300,000 is printed and expected to arrive early in October.

Venezuela Travel Reference Map 4^th Ed. 2011 1:1,200,000 on ITM waterproof paper ISBN 9781553414575 UPC 815534145789 $12.95cdn/us E8.95 7.99GBP – This is another one of our brand new maps. The artwork has been digitally-prepared, and this time printed double-sided to achieve a MUCH better scale. We have included a regional inset map of the Caracas area, and insets of the Roraima Mountains region, but the size of Venezuela is such that the rest of the paper consists solely of the country itself. The southern portion remains relatively unexplored and undeveloped, with few roads and only the occasional settlement, and the northern coastal region shows the road network very well. This is the first new map of Venezuela in many years, and is AVAILABLE.

Virgin Islands Travel Reference Map 3^rd Ed. 2011 1:50,000 on ITM waterproof paper ISBN 9781553410799 UPC 815534207930 $12.95cdn/us E8.95 7.99GBP – This is also brand new artwork and has been digitally prepared from GIS downloads, so is extremely precise in its portrayal of physical features. This version is printed on double-sided ITM plastic paper for both durability and waterproofing, and covers both the British and the American land masses that comprise the Virgins. Named after Queen Elizabeth the First, the network of islands has a colourful history which we have enhanced in a series of topical capsule comments. The more populated island of St. Croix includes an elaborate myriad of roads and inset maps of Christiansted and Frederiksted. The St. Thomas island portion includes detailed insets of Charlotte Amalie and Cruz Bay on St. Johns. The other side of the sheet covers the BVI region; less populated and oh so very British. I remember staying in Road Town for several days many years ago. This map includes an inset of the town showing all the major buildings and nothing has changed since I was there fifteen years ago. The map also includes an inset of The Valley, the only town on Virgin Gorda and, I’m sure, the only map ever published of that small settlement. ARRIVED.

TITLES THAT ARRIVED IN OUR WAREHOUSE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS

Algeria Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2010 1:2,000,000 ISBN 9781553411062

British Columbia Travel Reference Map 7^th Ed. 2010 1:1,250,000 ISBN 9781553418283

Central Asia Travel Reference Map 1^st Ed. 2010 1:2,400,000 ISBN 9781553410294

Europe Railways Travel Reference Map 3^rd Ed. 2010 1:3,350,000 ISBN 978155341

Jordan and Syria Travel Reference Map 3^rd Ed. 2010 1:610,000/720,000 ISBN 9781553412748

New Guinea Travel Ref. Map 2nd Ed. 2010 1:2M/1:1,650,000 ISBN 97881553413424

Rio de Janeiro/Brasil East Coast 2^nd Ed. 2010 1:12,500/1:3M ISBN 9781553416845

Rwanda and Burundi Travel Ref. Map 4^th Ed. 2010 1:300,000 ISBN 9781553413820

South East Asia Travel Reference Map 4^th Ed. 2010 1:4,000,000 ISBN 9781553410775