Internet Traffic and the Strait of Hormuz

 Oil isn’t the only thing passing through the Strait of Hormuz. 30% of the world’s data traffic also passes through there and 90% of the traffic between Europe and Asia. Iran is now threatening to charge “user fees” on these cables.

-via Anadolu Agency

These seem like remarkable percentages given the detour that these cables make to get into that area. Here is a close up from that somewhat blurry image.

Credit to the American Geographical Society for alerting me to this map - from a Turkish government news source.

Hiking the Suburbs

 Last week I was given an award by the Newton Conservators for the work I did making an updated trail guide. While Newton, Massachusetts is not a major hiking destination, it is a city of over 85,000 people who will hopefully benefit from knowing where they can go for a nearby hike. We (including the writers and graphics team) put a lot of work into it and I think the end result came out great. Here is a sample page,

and a map detail.

The guide is spiral bound with a pocket that contains a two-sided foldout map showing citywide trails, locations of all the sites and suggested longer walks.

I enjoyed working on this project quite a bit as it was a rare chance to focus on cartography, whereas my normal job tasks are more about managing data, users, web applications and requests. You can see more and buy the guide here.

An Evening at The Map Center

I’ve been meaning to go to The Map Center since I met proprietor Andrew Middleton about 2 years ago at an event. Middleton won a contest to take over the store from its previous owner and moved from California to Pawtucket, Rhode Island to run the place. Finally, a Geospatial Professionals Network event was my excuse to head to Pawtucket.

There are very few map stores left in the United States and most of them specialize in antique maps. The Map Center has carved out a niche in the more interesting (in my opinion) world of creative and eccentric maps.

Also included are books, post cards and other ephemera such as this tray.

For me, it was like being a kid in a candy shop.

Here are some sample books.

Here is a piece of an old Russian rail map.

All the Hams of Massachusetts by Ricky Rainbow Beard.

Of course, I couldn’t leave without buying a bunch of stuff I don’t need*, including this T-shirt,

and a hard copy of the wonderful Cross-Sections through California by RJ Andrews. 

*About the “stuff I don’t need” quote, Middleton says “no one will have their day ruined for lack of a thing I sell. But I do hope it makes people's lives richer and more filled with wonder and curiosity.“

It’s tough running a map store in an age of ubiquitous internet maps and GPS. He is planning on doing some more experiential stuff- classes in QGIS, event hosting and art exhibitions for that very reason. I hope the store survives so I can continue buying items that make my life richer.