A mounting problem

Can we clear the amount of plastic that is accumulating in our oceans.?
Plastic accumulates in natural vortex know as gyre; the largest of which is in the Pacific Ocean and is an area twice the size of France .
Scientist at the University of Sheffield believe they may have a solution.
Read more at the BBC or go to the report at the University of Sheffield

Trade and Development

A handy way to study various trade patterns is to visit the international trade statistics web site, here. The nice thing about the site is that it will produce maps for you. Just explore and see for yourself. In particular, look at a commodity such as any of the aluminium products (76...) and compare the countries who export these goods with the countries who export and provide the raw materials (2606). Alternatively look at the countries who supply (export) the raw materials for chocolate and the countries who import the beans for processing and making the bars of chocolate.

Gravity Satellite - doesn't blast off

The launch of a European Space Agency (Esa) gravity mapping satellite, called Goce, has been delayed. Controllers suspended the countdown when the service tower protecting its rocket failed to move clear of the pad and allow a lift-off. Engineers hope to fix the problem, which should allow another launch attempt to be made on Tuesday.

Goce will give scientists new insights into how the interior of the planet is structured and how the oceans move. Researchers will also use the satellite's data to frame a universal system to measure height anywhere on Earth.

For information about Goce click this link.

A bit of Historical Geography

Thanks to a pupil in Year 9 for this post: "I found this very interesting website, it gives you the tithe maps of Cheshire; the 1875 os map, the 1910 os map, the modern os map, and aerial views from 2000 and 1970. It also gives you land use maps and plot details. The site also shows you who owned most of the land. Sadly this is all for Cheshire! t will also allow you to search your postcode. Strangely it lets you look at the whole of the os map for the North West of England." Click the image for the website!

Free digital OS maps

Yes it is hard to believe but on the Geography Interactive website OS maps of all scales are available. Click the Image below to take you to this amazing resource.

Thanks to the Kingdown Blog for highlighting this resource.

Maps and facts

For those of you doing some research here are some useful parts of aneki.com "the source of World rankings". It has the facility that enables you to compile a map of the world like the one below:
This is where I have been in the World - still a lot to cover I'd better keep playing the lottery!
To make your own maps click this - Customise a map of the world
Another very useful tool is the ability to make comparisons between two countries - click this -compare two countries
aneki has lots of lists but as yet does not list City as the richest football club in the world!

Thanks to Miss Ellis at geogtastic for drawing our attention to this website.

The Geography of Crime

Residents of England and Wales can now access online maps which plot recorded crime in their neighbourhood.
The maps show where and when crime happened and they are updated on a monthly basis.

For more information follow this link to the news item on the BBC.

Click this link to take you to the Greater Manhester Police interactive map.

Worldmapper

Worldmapper is a collection of world maps, where territories are re-sized on each map according to the subject of interest. It is excellent for research.

Click the link for the website: Worldmapper

Thanks to Mrs M for bringing this page to our attention.