Reprinted from: "A guide to Your Globe" by Replogle Globes Inc.

Why are 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 two 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).

What's the difference between the blue and tan colored globes?
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. The youth market normally prefers such globes.

How many different maps do we use?
Currently we use 35 different maps. This is due to the different sizes of our globes, the style types, languages.

How do you clean a globe?
Our 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. Do not put the gemstone globe in direct sunlight. It may discolor or crack the acrylic coating

Where can you buy a replacement light bulb for a 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 75watt bulb for a 32” globe, 40watt bulb for a 20” globe, and 15watts for a 12” globe..

What is that little round dial at the North Pole?
It’s called a TIME DIAL—used to compare time around the world.

Why do some globes have a metal ring or semi-ring around them?
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 the globes 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 we choose city and country names for our globes?
Subject to space limitations, we attempt to list all nations, all the capitals, then the biggest city in that country or state, or an important city. There are more names on the coastline because there is room for them, and we are trying to fill space as well. We try not to abbreviate names because that would lead to confusion for our customers. If a city has some importance other than size or a capital, then it’s added. The US Government has a list of names for cities and countries outside North America that they call ‘conventional’ names. This is easier for us to understand than the true translation…and is why our maps show Finland, for example—rather than Suomi.

What are the bumps on some globes and why aren't they on all globes?
The ‘bumps’ are called raised relief and better emphasize the mountainous areas of the world. 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. Raised relief is found on 9", 12" and 16" diameter non-illuminated globes. On the smaller globe, it would be difficult to maintain any degree of accuracy. On a very large diameter globe, i.e., 20" & 32", the method of manufacturing doesn’t lend itself to incorporating this feature.

Why a globe instead of 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.

How up-to-date is the globe?
We have a policy of updating a map every time it’s printed. Although the names or boundaries of countries can change due to wars or other political upheavals, most changes are simple name changes that are relatively easy to make. Our policy is that when the US State Department—along with the representatives (usually the Embassies of the governments involved), recognizes the changes as being a fact, we then start to implement the changes into our system. Generally, the 9" and 12" diameter globes are the first sizes to show up in the field with the changes, followed by the 16" models and other sizes. This can be anywhere from six months to a year—depending on the field inventory. There can be no absolute guarantee that any map is 100% current, but this should not be a deterrent to the purchase because the real value of a globe is to show true, geographical relationships. Reference "HOW TO USE AND ENJOY YOUR GLOBE" Copyright Replogle 1991

How Our Gemstone Globes Are Made?
The semi-precious stones come in very large rocks from around the world, and then are hand cut Into very small thin pieces and polished. We consider Which kind of stone can be extracted from each country. This process is one of the most time consuming of all. We select lapis. onyx, howlite, or jade for the oceans, which is ground into a powder with a special formula for its rich color. The entire globe is covered with the ground gemstone and dried for 18-24 hours until completely solid. The initial step of the globe is finished after the hardening process. A skillful worker polishes and sands the globe until the stones reappear,making sure it’s smooth. Gold leaf ribbon is hand placed into position for the longitude and latitude lines along with the names of the countries and islands. The last process is the coating. We use an acrylic coating to give a high luster finish and make it completely smooth. The globe is then mounted on to a base made of gemstone, metals with rich brass and pewter finishes, or rosewood. It can take a skilled artisan many hours to craft and assemble one of our beautiful gemstone globes!



List of Semi-Precious Stones Most Often Used To Highlight Selected Countries
Afghanistan Dumortierite, Mongolia Red Jasper, Algeria Leopard Skin, Morocco Aventurine, Angola Picture Jasper, Mozambique Unakite, Argentina Red Jasper, Nepal Dairnentioner, Australia Abalone Shell, New Guinea Rich Jade, Austria Abalone Shell, New Zealand Mother-of-Pearl, Belgium Abalone Shell, Nigeria Aflica Jade, Brazil Rich Jade, Norway Mother-Of-Pearl, Canada Mother-of-Pearl, Oman Rich Jade, Chad Zebra Jasper, Paraquay Mother-of-Pearl, Chile Yellow Jasper, Peru Picture Jasper, China Picture Jasper, Philippines Abalone Shell, Colombia Unakite, Poland Breciated Jasper, Cuba Mother-of-Pearl, Portugal Red Jasper, Czech Africa Jade, Romania Unaklte, Denmark Chrysotile Serpentine, Russia Africa Turquoise, Ecuador Africa Jade, Saudi Arabia Gold Stone, Egypt Corel Fossil, Singapore Mother-of-Pearl, Finland Red Jasper, South Africa Tiger’s Eye, France Rich Jade, Spain Yellow Jade, Germany Tiger’s Eye, Sudan Picture Jasper, Greece Picture Jasper, Sweden Picture Jasper, Greenland Chrysotile Serpentine, Switzerland Red Jasper, Hungary White Quartz, Syria Leopard Skin, India Aventurine, Taiwan Picture Jasper, Indonesia Mother-of-Pearl, Tanzania Rich Jade, Iran Picture Jasper, Thailand Mother-of-Pearl, Ireland Rich Jade, Turkey Africa Turquoise, lsrael Mother-of-Pearl, Ukraine Leopard Skin, Italy Africa Jade, United Kingdom Mother-cf-Pearl, Japan Mother-of-Pearl, U.S.A. Picture Jasper, Kenya Leopard Skin, Venezuela Piccaso Jasper, Korea Red Jasper, Vietnam White Stone, Madagascar Red Jasper, Yemen Aventurine, Malaysia Red Jasper, Yugoslavia Yellow Jasper, Mexico Africa Jade, Zambia Dalmentoner

List of stones applies to globes 150mm or larger. Variations can occur without notice.