The 1998 Best of the Net Awards
Dateline: 10/05/98I am pleased to present the first annual Best of the Internet in Geography awards to the top ten geographical sites online. I selected these sites due to their outstanding quality among online sources for geographical information. These sites really help to make the Internet a great source for geographical data and information online. I've indicated in parenthesis the location of the site in my library of Net Links so you can view related sites. Without further ado, the top ten for 1998:
10. Flags of the World
Flags of the World is a terrific site that not only includes images of over 2,700 flags, it's also a great place to learn about the geopolitical history of a place as traced through its flags. (Countries)
9. Library of Congress Country Studies/Area Handbook Series
Eighty-five full-length books provide the most detailed and informative resources for countries available online. While some countries have yet to be updated (such as the Soviet Union), this site remains excellent. (Countries)
8. World Climate
Locating average precipitation and temperature couldn't be easier or quicker. World Climate is the best source for climate data from Nairobi to New York City. (Climate & Weather)
7. International Data Base Summary Demographic Data
The Net's best source for current demographic data. Select a country and retrieve key demographic characteristics, historical and projected population, and an age-sex breakdown of the population. There's no better place to find out the current population of a country. (World Population)
6. Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
Hundreds and hundreds of maps have been scanned and placed online for your viewing pleasure. If you need a 182K map of Greenland, this is the place to find it. (World Maps)
5. TerraServer
Microsoft's TerraServer site is truly amazing. They've utilized satellite images from around the world to create the world's largest database. This is best place to see a photo of your house from space. Before you go, read my review and instructions for using the site. (Earth Photos)
4. Map Machine
The National Geographic Society's online atlas is fabulous. It includes maps and geographic information about each country and U.S. state (Map Machine Atlas), political and physical maps of the continents, and beautiful satellite map-images of the world in View From Above. (Countries)
3. CIA World Factbook
There's no better source for geographic, economic, political, or cultural data about a country than the CIA World Factbook. Each country or territory page also includes a very nice map and tiny flag image. (Countries)
2. Microsoft Expedia Maps
The choice between number two and number one were very difficult indeed. Expedia is a wonderful site and has great looking maps and a larger database of place names but it lacks some features available from the number one site. Use Expedia for good looking area maps of anywhere on the earth. (World Maps)
1. MapQuest
MapQuest is number one based on a combination of excellent features available on their site. While their plain, yellow maps of places contain excellent detail worldwide, they also include the great TripQuest site that provides driving directions between two addresses in the U.S., and their newest addition, the MapQuest MapStore. The map store makes the hunt for a paper map (especially USGS topographic maps) a breeze and is a valuable addition to the family of MapQuest services. (Street & Road Maps)
Congratulations to all of the winners!
Please feel free to post your kudos, comments, or criticism about my choices for the top ten sites on the Geography Bulletin Board.
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