I’ve been looking through the website and noticed we now have lots of unusual products that would make great gifts for that person who is difficult to buy for. I’ve put them together under ‘The Unusual’.

You will find products like unusual world maps, Raised Relief Maps, and even the largest atlas in the world.

If you find something on our website that you think is unusal and I’ve not added it to our ‘Unusual’ catagory, please let us know.

It may seem a little early for Christmas but I thought I’d put some ideas on the website.

Globes are always popular at Christmas, as they make an excellent gift. Informative, educational and in my opinion beautiful. We do our best efforts at second guessing demand, but our globes do sell out very quickly, so we do recommend ordering early to avoid disappointment.

Introducing  the unusual … take a look at the Wapentac range. For the person who loves maps, walks or climbs…these 3D metal maps maybe just what they want. I’ll say no more on these, take a look and see what you think.

I’ve chosen a selection of books that I think would make  good Christmas presents, but for more books, look  in our books catagory. There you will find books on wildlife, history and of course maps, as well as many others.

There are lots of ideas on MapStop, even if they’re not in the Christmas Gift ideas. Enjoy browsing.

If you’re stuck with a mapping idea or have any problems on the site, please feel free to contact us on 01280 840770. We are always here to help.

Take a look at this humerous map of Edinburgh…. we had a great time finding funny things, like two people kissing under the bridge and the naked ladies!! See what you can find….

For anyone who loves or lives in Edinburgh, this map would make the perfect gift.

Well Done Claire and let’s hope a few more cities are on the drawing board!!

If you love maps and are looking for something a little different, then take a look at the Wapentac range on MapStop.

Wapentac is a contour map made of stainless steel (17cm x9cm) packed flat. It comes in a gift card… so the idea is to send it as a present and the recipient pushes the steel out to create a wonderful relief map that stands approximately 2-3mm. It can then be reattached to the greeting card or be attached to a fridge door or similar using the magnets provided.

This map would make a unique gift … infact, I think I’ll send one to myself!!

If you enjoy fishing then you might be interested in the fishing maps we’ve just added to the site. There are a range of Fishing and River Maps and Fishing Prints ,all would make an interesting gift to any fishing enthusist that you know. Also check out the range of Countryside Books we have added. Whether you want to walk to keep fit of enjoy walking with the idea of sitting in a country pub, these guides are for you. Enjoy!!

MapStop is pleased to say that we can now offer Site Centred Maps and Photography. These range from historical mapping to current day, as well as Aerial Photography.

For current day mapping , the data comes direct from the Ordnance Survey’s own database, so this will include all the lastest information. Site plans for your house or larger development can be supplied as either paper copies or data and the popular Explorer and Landranger Map series can be supplied centred on your desired location.

You can have an aerial photograph of anywhere in the UK, select from a large archive of photographs from the 1960’s to the present.

Historial Mapping – You can choose from any one of 5 series of Ordnance Survey Maps, 4 are at 1:50,000 and are from 1833 up to 1947. The fifth is the old County Series at 1:10,000 from around 1898 so you can pick out your house assuming it is that old!

So often, the place you’re interested in on the edge of the map – with site centred maps we can customise the map so the place you want is in the centre. This makes it easier to use and completely unique to you.

We feel these maps would also make a useful and interesting gift.

SkyView Posters are offering actual aerial photography taken on the historic day by USAAF Lightning’s. The images have been mosaiced together to create A1 (23” x 33”) posters covering Juno and Omaha beaches plus 3 of Gold Beach one of which is a quite amazing Panoramic view-see if you can spot the 8 Lightning’s not including the one taking the photography! The posters are created from the original black and white photographs and despite the age of the imagery offer remarkable clarity. Also available is a poster showing Pegasus Bridge complete with Horsa Gliders where they landed plus a remarkable poster taken in October 1944 showing the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches. 2 Operational maps have been reproduced and are also available along with the aforementioned posters from http://www.mapstop.co.uk which also offers a range of books from Crecy covering D-Day and other events during WWII. For more details on D-Day and other historical events visit Mapstop Historical Products.

Imagine a sedate journey in the early summer sun from Northern France, through Nantes and Toulouse, past Montserrat mountain and the on to the Catalonian capital of Barcelona. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it?

Now imagine that same journey but in a car which has cost less than £200! The rule of the race is that entrants may not spend more than £200 on buying a vehicle, so this team are using a 15 year old BMW they got on E-Bay decorated by a range of maps supplied by Global Mapping and its partners.

On the 21st May 2009, along with 59 other vehicles, two consultants from Salford GIS Limited, Paul Coward and Chris Nelson, are due to set off on the 1,200 mile journey in their Barcelona Banger, keeping everything crossed that the car will limp over the finish line and that they will have raised their target of £3,000 for MapAction.

As Geographic Information Systems consultants, the Salford pair have chosen a charity that assists in the coordination of relief efforts worldwide through delivering vital situation information in the form of maps, created and distributed in the field. MapAction is unique. They are the only non-governmental organisation (NGO) with a substantial track record in mapping for disaster emergencies. From their bases in the UK, Germany and the Caribbean region, they can deploy a fully trained and equipped mapping team anywhere in the world. They can be on their way in hours.

Global Mapping, People’s Map and XYZ Digital Map Company have helped sponsor this worthy cause and as a result the car has been given a makeover and is now resplendent in Global Mapping’s wall maps along with Peoples Map and XYZ data. Salford GIS are an existing People’s Map user having adopted the data as the standard data sets to use for all their GIS training courses

Follow Paul and Chris on their blog http://barcainabeamer.blogspot.com This will be regularly updated both before and during the run.
More information about MapAction can be found at http://www.mapaction.org
Donations can be made at http://www.justgiving.com/salfordgisbangerrun

You can even follow their progress if you wish on http://146.87.6.70/SalfordGIS/trackapp.php

For all you GIS users, during May we are offering a 5% discount on MapInfo 9.5 and don’t forget we can also offer you competitive training courses not only in MapInfo but also MAPublisher and ArcView. 

We have also been adding Berlitz Guides. These best-selling guides offer comprehensive travel information and offer tremedous value for money.

Has anyone noticed our new search facility on our Home Page? It now lets you know how many products are currently on site…and they go up daily!!

Fed up with buying socks and smellies?  Then check out a few gifts on MapStop.

How about The Concorde Globe? This 30cm antique style globe on an english made oiled beech wood base with weather instruments would be an attractive addition to any study, lounge or dining room. If you don’t think he’s in the mood for travelling the world, then how about going on a walk…or maybe treating him to a pub meal on the way..have a look at our variety of walking guides (some with a pub guide) to get you in the mood.

For those who enjoy travelling, I have started adding Time Out Guides, written from a unique insider perspective by writers who have passionate, informed attachment to their cities. I’m adding more daily so keep a look out for your favourite city guide.

Happy Father’s Day on June 21st to all you Dads out there!