The Bottom Line
This puzzle is very educational and incredibly unique. I am not a puzzle person at all but I thoroughly enjoyed working on this puzzle with a 13 year-old who knew much less about geography than myself. We both had a great time and learned more about the world. I'm very surprised that I did not want to stop putting this puzzle together.
Pros
- Puzzle pieces shaped like countries or groups of countries and states.
- Facts about countries are scattered across the oceans.
- Puzzle's small size makes a normal table a workable surface.
Cons
- Puzzle piece edges don't match borders exactly.
- Puzzle could be larger for greater world map detail.
- Easier than most puzzles if you know world geography.
Description
- 600 pieces.
- Oceans and edges are "normal" shaped puzzle pieces.
- Continent pieces are shaped like the countries or groups of countries or states.
- Completed Puzzle Size: 36 inches by 18 inches.
- Puzzle Box: 10.25 inches by 15.5 inches by 2 inches.
Guide Review - The Global Puzzle
This unique puzzle is an accurate map of the world. Colorful puzzle pieces come in two varieties: edge and ocean pieces are shaped like typical puzzle pieces while pieces of the continents are shaped like countries, states, provinces, groups of countries, groups of states, or combine to make a large country (like Russia or China.)
Even though it's counterintuitive, the puzzle instructions recommend putting together the borders and oceans first and I wholeheartedly agree. Once you put the oceans (the pieces of which have basic facts printed about each country) together, you can then move toward putting the continents together. You can't put together the continents together outside of the puzzle because the countries don't stick together.
The process of putting together the puzzle is a very educational opportunity - one will definitely learn much about the location of countries through this unique and creative puzzle. It's a great gift for anyone interested or perhaps not interested in geography. Even those who have a great knowledge of the world will love it!
