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Cartography, it sounds like a funny word for something fancy, but in reality, it is the study and practice of making maps. Cartographers combine science, aesthetics and technique to communicate spatial relativity. Now that sounds all very complicated, but it really just means that they take the world and draw it out visually and accurately.

Cartography is extremely interesting because it is steeped in history. So here are some neat facts and information that you might not have known about the realm of map making.

People have been trying to document land and the surrounding geography since the beginning of time. Having a map or visual representation of where things are is very helpful when trying to travel, find food, set up shelter, or collect water. Some of the earliest maps of the world were created by the Babylonians in the 9th Century BCE. The first world map is credited to Martin Waldseemuller in 1507 which included a map of the U.S., or America, before it was settled.

The first maps were created on parchment with brushes and ink, which left room for error but it also allowed Cartographers to be creative and artistic. Once printing was invented, map making became much more precise and allowed more people to be able to read or have access to the maps.

Some cartographers even play “practical jokes” by adding things to their maps which are not actually there. For example, in the 1970s, Richard Ciacci added a fictitious mountain, Mount Richard, to the Rocky Mountains and the map ended up as the Boulder County map of Colorado.

The art of map making is fascinating and although may seem out of date with the cutting edge technology of today, is very relevant to history.

There are two main reasons that people spend more time working on their cars in the summer. The first is that the days are longer, giving people more hours to do the things they love. The second is that people love to make use of those hours to drive places , meaning that cars need more attention to keep them running properly. The two actually go hand in hand.

Now, somewhere along the line promoters realized the connection between summer and increased car activity. They started scheduling car shows during these months to capitalize on the longer days and the increased interest. Shows are a great place for drivers to see what’s new in car designs and accessories. They can purchase custom wheels , car care products, and just about anything associated with car ownership at these shows.

There is a second type of car show or rally. These are held by local car clubs and aren’t designed to sell products. Instead, they are an opportunity for drivers to show off their fancy cars. Owners will display their classic cars with american racing rims , their vintage and antique autos as well as later model cars that have been “pimped out” with custom paint jobs and all sorts of bells and whistles.

Either type of car show is a great way for a car lover to while away a few hours on a hot summer day.

Tennis is one of the most favored international sports to watch; with its intensity and unpredictable outcomes its one of the most popular to play as well. It seems that everyone is watching and talking about the French Open right now, so here is some information and fun facts you might not have known.

First, the French Open is one of four grand slam tournaments. The grand slam tournaments are the Australian Open, US Open, French Open, and Wimbledon. These are the four major events that athletes strive to play in each year and which help determine their rankings.

Next, the French Open is held in Paris, France at Stade Roland Garros. The stadium, Roland Garros, was named after a notable French World War I pilot. The courts are made of clay and the French Open is the only grand slam tournament to be played on clay courts. Now, the difference between clay courts and hard or grass courts is that the ball bounces higher on clay and travels slower, making it a very physically demanding game.

Finally, the tournament was established in 1891, it was originally a national championship but was then changed allow international talent to compete.

As one of the largest tennis events of the year, the French Open attracts all the best players from all over the world. With the tricky surface, the tournament is full of surprises and you never know who will win. The French Open has a lot of history behind it and is definitely one of the major sporting events you won’t want to miss out on.