Two fantastic official websites promoting Britain (home), and British interests abroad (away). They are contemporary, colourful, clear and contain a wealth of topical information. Stunning imagery and well written text create informative and accessible sites which take the reader from general topics and themes to specific issues and places. Visi... Read more >>

The first national Atlas of Britain to be published for over 40 years, comes out on the 2nd September 2010. The Times, publisher of the world's most authoritative and prestigious atlases, brings you a beautiful and comprenensive Atlas of Britain. This stunning book includes fully up-to-date reference maps, statistics, geographical informa... Read more >>

Mapmakers respond as Earth’s changing climate reshapes the face of the planet. To tie in with Earth Day 2010, this article by Cody Crane in Science World magazine April 19, 2010, highlights how the impacts of climate change are keeping map makers busy with tracking changes and updating mapping. “We’re having to revise coastlines, remap i... Read more >>

Three of our Scotland Clan Maps are now available to order as framed or unframed prints through Mapseeker – Historical Maps Online, under the Collins Bartholomew Scottish Heritage category. The Scotland of Old map, also known as the Bartholomew Clan Map of Scotland, features ‘The Lands’, ‘The Arms’, ‘The Crests’. The central map delineates the... Read more >>

This Monday (22 March), the first episode of a ten part series called ‘On the Map’ will be broadcast. Mike Parker, author of Map Addict, will present the 15-minute programmes. They will go out on Radio 4, Monday to Friday at 3.45pm in the weeks beginning 22nd and 29th March. Mike visited our Collins Geo offices in January to record some intervie... Read more >>

Looking for a historical map? Mapseeker in association with Collins Bartholomew now offer a comprehensive range of historical mapping for you to select and order online. Mapseeker was formed several years ago by Paul Line, and offers one of the most comprehensive collections of British historical maps currently available, as well as an expan... Read more >>

Last month we had a visit from Mike Parker and his programme producer to record some interviews for a forthcoming BBC Radio 4 series called On the Map. The Collins Geo staff talked about the Times Atlas of the World - its history, the production process, updates, decisions on name forms, boundary issues and content. Mike Parker, author of Map Ad... Read more >>

We are now offering an exciting new range of personalised jigsaws and posters of world maps and jigsaws of the front page of The London or The New York Times newspaper for ordering online. Times Personalised World Map Jigsaw This personalised 400-piece jigsaw features a full colour political world map, in a different style and with content for... Read more >>

“After more than a century of costume changes, the Times atlas has become a more refined creature. Its latest incarnation — a bespoke, luxury edition — is like a Rolls-Royce of mapping.” The Times Travels section on Saturday (14 Nov) had a feature by Kathleen Wyatt, Travel Editor on her (dream come true) visit to the Book Works Studio to see h... Read more >>

Collins Geo, through Collins Bartholomew, and the family of the late John C. Bartholomew sponsor of one of the key British Cartographic Society (BCS) awards - The John C. Bartholomew Award for Small Scale Mapping. This award is presented for originality and excellence in the field of thematic cartography with emphasis on effective communication of ... Read more >>

Waterstones are running a competition for card holders until 7th January 2010 to win a luxury version of the Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World - the world's most prestigious and authoritative atlas. If you do not win or are not a card holder you can order one here. Not a member? The Waterstone’s Card is a spend and save points scheme for ... Read more >>

Jethro Lennox, Geo Publishing Manager presented Sir David Attenborough with the latest edition of our Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World earlier this week. Sir David took a break from signing copies of his personal view of the natural world Life Stories at our HarperCollins Bishopbriggs offices, to receive the atlas. Photo - Vaila Alexand... Read more >>

A recent item by Hans van der Maarel on his GIS and Mapping blog, titled You paid for it? (posted 28 July 2009): Interesting conversation in the elevator yesterday… I had picked up the Times Comprehensive atlas at a bookstore and was obviously quite happy with it (it is, after all, a great example of cartography). When I stepped into an elevator... Read more >>

Journalist, Dan Box was the 2009 winner of the BBC/Royal Geographical Society's annual competition for the best dream travel idea. His ‘Journey of a Lifetime’ took him to the Carteret islands in the South Pacific, where the inhabitants, faced with worsening environmental conditions are undergoing an organised relocation. The low-lying islands (w... Read more >>

The new Times Concise Atlas of the World has just been published. It’s a completely updated edition of this major atlas in the prestigious Times range, making it a valuable addition to any reference collection. The mapping and images provide an amazingly detailed view of the world, and the illustrated thematic content covers the most important geog... Read more >>

Map are everywhere these days, they are a vital tool for travel, business and recreation. Their delivery makes use of (and often drives the development of) the very latest hi tech gadgetry and equipment. But how do you become a map maker? A recent article in the Independent Newspaper Careers Section: How to map out a new role for yourself as a c... Read more >>

In creating the maps for a world atlas, decisions have to be made on which areas of the world to show at which levels of detail. The key factor in this decision-making process is map scale – the relationship between distances or areas on the map and the equivalent distances or areas on the ground. The scale factor Scale determines the level... Read more >>

Decisions, decisions… The editorial task facing cartographers creating world atlases, or indeed pretty much any map, is really one of deciding what information to show and how. In practical terms, the more difficult decision is often not what to show but what to leave out. Map scale is a key factor determining the amount of information that ca... Read more >>

‘The legacy of John George Bartholomew is still held in high regard in cartographic circles, with an enduring respect for the man that is forged from his many significant achievements.’ Issue 12 of 'Discover' the magazine of the National Library of Scotland (NLS) has an article on the private papers of Scottish cartographer John G Bartholomew. W... Read more >>

When a lovely old atlas such as an early edition of the famous Times Atlas of the World is discovered in the loft or handed down from an elderly relative, one of the most frequently asked questions has to be — is it worth anything? The answer to this question depends on many factors such as its age, rarity, collectability and condition. We h... Read more >>

It seems amazing to me now, but if you went to high school in England in the 1980s you were allowed to give up all foreign languages at age 14. In the pursuit of an easy life, that’s exactly what I did, opting instead to do Business Studies. I’m sure all of that basic accountancy has been useful over the years (although my bank manager might have... Read more >>

"Discussion continues about the demise of atlases. There is a great temptation to use the Internet for geographical queries, and usually an answer may be found quickly and easily. But questions of authority and accuracy remain, questions that can be resolved by taking the time to use the Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World. It is a recommen... Read more >>

'My name is Mike and I am a map addict. There, it's said …' Map Addict really catches the current mood regarding all things cartographic. Recently, there has been a huge growth in mapping on the web, creating massive interest in maps and their application. Mike's book has just been published by Collins, with some mapping information a... Read more >>