Map it out. . - What's New? - book review

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), May, 2002

* With airline travel both a danger (Sept. 11) and a hassle (added security everywhere), more people will be traveling by car in the coming warm-weather months. To get anywhere, of course, you have to know which way to go. That's no problem, thanks to the 2002 Road Atlas from American Map Corporation, Maspeth, N.Y.

As its promotional literature points out, "Every day, road construction crews, state and federal transportation authorities, and local developers are working to make your maps and atlases out of date. That's why you need American Map." And for those getting-older travelers whose eyes aren't what they used to be, the Larger Scale-Larger Type Road Atlas is a must-have. Moreover, it's a help for even younger eyes trying to read a map while cruising at 65 mph.

Both these resources feature up-to-date, digitized maps of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The road maps identify toll roads, mileage between points, and highway interchanges, while the detailed street maps guide travelers through city and metro areas. The atlas' same-page state map indexing makes it easy to locate destinations quickly, and their spiral bindings help them stay open for easy reference, while the rounded corners endure the tortures of use on the go.

Other useful features include "3D" elevation shading, to give you a look ahead at the terrain you'll be crossing; population figures for locations shown and statistics for each state; national park maps; and a Discovery Channel Travel Adventure section, with descriptions of various attractions around the country, such as birdwatching in Manhattan, swamp trekking in Georgia, whale spotting in Maine, and buffalo viewing in South Dakota.

The Road Atlas ($12.95) and its larger cousin ($21.95) are available at bookstores, pharmacies, and stationery stores.

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This symbol * indicates USA Today has tested a product for operating in full compliance with the manufacturer's specifications and to determine its performance as applicable to our readers' needs. Disadvantages, if any, also are reported. Although we cannot guarantee a product, we offer the starred designation as a guide to readers.