An earth globe is a really cool tool and a must for everyone curious about the world and its geography. Put simple, a globe is a generalized, scaled down version of the earth showing the true shape of its continents and regions. It is important to understand the fundamental difference of an earth globe in comparison with flat, two-dimensional maps. Since the earth is shaped (almost) like a ball there is no way to put the true look of the earth and the shape of its continents onto a flat, two-dimensional map.

Flat Maps are drawn using complex mathematical calculations to project the three-dimensional information onto a two-dimensional piece of paper. Due to the nature of these mathematical operations the relationships of the places, the distances and the size of countries and continents is distorted.

In contrast a globe gives you the true shape of the earth and all its places. Hence, if you like to learn about the true shapes of the continents and countries of the earth you will have to use a globe. You can even measure the distances between places just by taking into account the scale of the globe whereas with maps measuring the real distance between far-away places is not possible without complex trigonometric calculations. And of course, spinning a globe around is much more fun than faltering a huge flat map.

Globes are a perfect learning tool for kids. Most kids are quite natural extremely curious and like to ask questions: Why is there a horizon? Why does the sun rise in the East? What about the movements of the sun during the day? Why are there night and day? Why is it warm in summer and cold during the winter? Answering these questions will be much easier for you with the help of a globe. And of course, your kids will understand these concepts much more easier as well.

Even some quite complex issues like the different climate zones (from hot around the equator to cold around the poles) is much easier to explain when using a globe for demonstration purposes.

Did you ever ask what is the shortest distance between two places on a sphere like the Earth? After all there are no straight lines on a sphere. It is the arc of a great circle, also called orthodrome in navigation. Answering this question and understanding the concept behind is quite difficult using mathematics but extremely easy when using a globe. In fact, when I started to study cartography and geography at the university decades ago our teacher advised us to buy a globe since this would help us to understand the concepts of spherical trigonometry. And I can assure you, we students benefited much from the decision to buy a globe.

But globes are not only useful as a learning tool. A globe is a very fine decoration item. A room with a globe makes the room (and with it the owner as well) somewhat more worldly. You have to try it to believe it but it works.

There are many different globes available: simple desk globes, globes for decoration, toy globes specifically for kids, inflatable globes, globes as swimming tools, extremely large and extremely small pocket globes, globes which are wine or liqueur bars. No needs and wants of the geographically curious will go unserved by the global globe industry.

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 If you want to delve deeper into the exciting history of how we proceeded to learn about the true shape of the earth and what important role maps played in history I can strongly recommend this book. The author Ralph E. Ehrenberg is former chief of the Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress and thus knows his stuff. This is a comprehensive history of cartography and map making complete with over hundred pictures of stunning maps and their specific background. A truly fascinating read.

The variety of globes and the number of different globe types is huge. If you like solving puzzles maybe a puzzle globe will be a great idea for coming winter month. All puzzle pieces are perfectly curved and fit to gether exactly.

Floor globes are made in various design to fit into interieurs of all types, antique and modern. If you want to give your home a global and geographic chic you will be delighted by the variety of choices.