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Are these globes current?

All of the non gemstone globes are current within one to two years (they are all the most recent model the manufacturer offers) unless noted.

Globe Colors

The "TAN" globes are Antique in appearance and are preferred when the globe is to be used as a decorative accessory because the more neutral tan color complements almost any home or office décor. The "TAN" background or ocean is actually produced from a reproduction of an ancient parchment to give it the Antique or "Old World" look the geographic information is up-to-date and this Antiqued treatment is done primarily for its aesthetic appeal.

The "BLUE" globes, while also political, have the ocean areas in a blue (water) color and usually consist of highly contrasting, colorful, political boundaries.

How are globes made?

Here is an interesting video of how some globes are made.


How much does a replacement globe ball cost?


Replogle

As a Replogle globe owner, you are eligible for 50% off the retail value of a new globe ball or ball and ring through their Updatable Globe Program. Upon delivery of your globe, you will find a card included explaining Replogle's Updatable Globe Program.

Why are some globes tilted?

Many globes are made to tilt at an angle of 23º to match the actual tilt of the Earth. Incidentally, it is this tilting of the Earth, relative to the sun as it orbits around it, that causes the seasons to change and give us more daylight hours at certain times of the year.

How do you find a place on a globe?


Because a globe is round with no beginning or end, there are 2 imaginary reference lines from which all distances and locations are determined; these are the equator and prime meridian.

Equator: Runs East and West around the exact middle of the globe.

Prime Meridian: Imaginary line running from Pole to Pole and passing through Greenwich, England.

Both the equator and the prime meridian intersect at point "0" where all numbering starts with longitude and latitude lines.

Longitude: Imaginary lines running parallel with the prime meridian through each Pole and numbered in 15º increments.

Latitude: Imaginary lines running around the globe parallel to the equator at 10º increments.

Locations are uniquely identified on a globe by the point where the longitude and latitude lines intersect, i.e., Dallas Texas is located 33º North (Latitude) 97º West (Longitude).


Globe Time Dial

Most globes have a little round dial at the North Pole that is called a time dial, which is used to compare time around the world.

Make Your Own Globe

Template needed for this activity

Flat maps may be easier to carry around, but there is still a need to make globes so that Earth's geography can be viewed without any directional or spatial distortions. Printing the location of continents and oceans directly onto a round surface would be difficult. Instead, this map of the Earth is printed in flat, roughly triangular sections and then attached to a ball. These sections are called gores.

Make a globe

1. Using a tape measure, determine the circumference of the ball, making sure that the tape measure circles the ball without wandering away from the "equator."

2. On a large piece of paper draw a rectangle the same length as the circumference of the ball. The height of the rectangle should be half the circumference of the ball. Draw an equator line through the center of the rectangle, lengthwise.

3. Cut out the rectangle.

4. Place the rectangle in front of you horizontally. Fold it in half three times. Unfold the rectangle and there are eight equal sections. Draw a line along each fold. Measure the bottom edge of one section to find its midpoint, and mark that point "A." Mark the end of the equator in that end section "B."

Drawing the gores

5. Find the midpoint between A and B as follows: Place the compass point on A. Set the compass radius to a length just short of B and draw a semicircle. Maintaining the same radius, place the compass point on B and draw a second semicircle. The two semicircles should intersect at two points. Draw a straight line through the points where the semicircles intersect, extending the line to a point at which it intersects the equator line. Mark this point "C."

The length of the line from A to C is the radius of the gores.

6. Attach extra paper to both ends of the original piece (These extensions should be at least the length of the gore radius) Extend the equator line out onto the extra paper at least the distance of the gore radius. This will allow you to move your compass point out along the equator far enough to draw all of the gores.

7. Set the compass to the gore radius (the distance between A and C). Place the compass pencil on A and the compass point on C. Draw an arc from A to the top of the rectangle.

Maintaining the same compass radius, move the compass pencil to the midpoint of the bottom edge of the next section and place the compass point on the equator. Draw another arc in the same manner. Continue moving the compass and drawing arcs for each of the eight sections.

Turn the paper upside down and repeat the above procedure to draw the opposing arcs and form the gores.

Remove the extra paper from the rectangle.

8. Create grid lines for transposing the map onto the rectangle as follows :

Fold the rectangle as you did in Step 4. Fold once more in the same direction. Unfold the rectangle, and place it in front of you horizontally. Fold it in half, top to bottom, three times. Unfold the rectangle. The rectangle should be divided into 16 sections left to right and 8 sections top to bottom. Cut out the spaces between the gores. Transpose the map from the given to your gores using the gridlines on the diagram and the gridlines (folds) on the gores as a reference.

Taping the gores to the ball, step one
9. Tape the strip of gores at one end of the equator to the ball. Wrap the strip around the ball and tape the loose ends in place, taking care to align the equator line.
Taping the gores to the ball, step two

10. Glue each gore down against the ball so the tips meet to form the north and south poles.

The final globe

Make an Orange Globe

To demonstrate the difficulty in making a flat map of a round surface make a map out of an orange peel. Try to peel an orange with an Exacto knife so that you take off the skin in one piece. Make a flat projection of the surface of the orange by laying the peel flat. Does your peel look like the gores from the previous activity?

Materials

paper, ball (about the size of a playground ball), glue, tape, paints, ruler, tape measure, compass, pencil

What is the Meridian?

Most globes have a metal ring either full circle or half (semi) circle. These are called Meridians and they are generally numbered in degrees from 0º at the equator to 90º at either Pole. Originally, meridians were used to help locate positions on the globe, but since many globes now have the longitude and latitude lines on the maps, the numbers on the meridian have become less important, but the ring itself still serves to hold the globe ball in position.


How do I clean my globe?

National Geographic
Clean the globe ball with a dry cloth only.

Replogle
Replogle globes have a special coating designed to protect the globe ball and enhance its appearance. Because this finish is washable, you could use a crayon or a soft wax pencil on the surface. Markings can be wiped off with a moistened cleansing tissue or soft, damp cloth. Household dust can be removed with a dry cloth, though you may wish occasionally to use a slightly dampened cloth to remove fingerprints or smudges. A mild, non-abrasive product is recommended for difficult marks.

Do not use industrial or even household cleaners that contain alcohol or any solvent.


Should I buy a globe or an atlas?

Actually, an atlas complements the globe and the globe complements the atlas. Each has features that, when used together, become an excellent reference and teaching tool. The advantage of a globe is that the world in its entirety is depicted on a sphere. As well as being functional, many globes also serve as attractive decorative accessories for homes and offices.

Where can I purchase a replacement bulb for my globe?

Any hardware or lighting store. Some of our illuminated globes use a 25 watt candelabra light bulb and others require a standard light bulb. Please follow these guidelines for globes requiring a standard light bulb. Please do not use more than a 75 watt bulb for a 32” globe, 40 watt bulb for a 20” globe, and 15 watts for a 12” globe.

Guide for Replacing Lightbulbs in Replogle 12" or 16" Globes

Guide for Replacing Lightbulbs in Replogle 20" or 32" Globes


What is Raised Relief?

Raised relief means you will find "bumps" where the mountainous areas of the world are. They are there so that you can "see & feel" the mountains—although their actual height on the globe does not have any relationship to the true relative heights of the mountain ranges. The globes that offer this feature will be indicated in the product description and product specs.

Decorating with a Globe

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