Media

On a deadline and seeking a media contact at National Geographic Maps? Contact Cindy Beidel via email or by calling 202.862.5286

EVERGREEN, COLO. (June 4, 2008)—National Geographic Maps has launched TOPO!® Explorer, a new Web site and related desktop application that will help outdoor enthusiasts locate accurate trail and recreation information nationwide. With the outdoor adventurer in mind, TOPO! Explorer presents users with National Geographic's detailed topographic maps, aerial photography, hybrid maps made from the two, and an extensive, freely browsable, online database of trail descriptions, recommendations and unique points of interest. Users can customize and print their maps and connect with a GPS. The Web site, www.topo.com, also includes an outdoor-focused community component where TOPO! Explorer users can share their photos, video and trail recommendations.

TOPO! Explorer allows outdoor enthusiasts to browse and download the exact maps they need. Using a GPS or the application’s built-in map-making tool box, users can create and share their favorite excursions with others on TOPO! Explorer and create their perfect map by combining trips from the Web site with their own content. The TOPO! Explorer application is ideal for hiking, cycling, climbing and outing groups to organize their trips and share their activities with others.

“Building upon our history of creating mapping tools for outdoor enthusiasts, we are delighted to offer TOPO! Explorer as a platform for expanding this robust community by allowing users to connect with like-minded individuals and share their outdoor experiences,” said Fran Marshall, president, National Geographic Maps. “TOPO! Explorer will allow users to actively participate in updating map content, by sharing their knowledge and recommendations on trails and other recreation-specific information.”

Current users of National Geographic’s TOPO! map software will find many of the features in TOPO! Explorer familiar, including GPS connectivity, custom map-making tools and printing. Innovations include an entirely new database of detailed maps and aerial photographs known as SuperQuads™, a powerful Web-based place finder, support for video and higher-resolution photography, and a new interface and map design tools.

SuperQuads are composed of six layers, including genuine USGS 1:24,000- and 1:100,000-scale topographic maps, i-cubed aerial photography with 4-meter resolution, Tele Atlas roads, USGS Digital Elevation models and names, and a new HybridQuad™ that combines aerial photography and topographic contour lines. SuperQuads can be freely browsed and are available for purchase via download for $1.00 each.

Two new retail packages, TOPO! Explorer ($24.95) and TOPO! Explorer Deluxe ($49.95), are now in stores or at www.shopNG.com. Both packages contain 25 map download credits for use on the TOPO! Explorer Web site. The Deluxe edition also includes a nationwide set of USGS 1:100,000-scale topographic maps, ideal for planning trips and browsing terrain.

TOPO! Explorer is compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, ME or 98, and Macintosh OS 10.3.9 and above and requires Internet Explorer 6 or higher, Firefox or Safari. Maps can also be printed on National Geographic’s waterproof, tear-resistant Adventure Paper, designed for use with home ink jet printers and are available in a variety of sizes for a suggested retail price of $19.95. TOPO! Explorer’s printing tools allow users to print detailed maps with GPS grids on any paper size or orientation supported by their printer. Content from existing trip files, or the user’s own notes, photos, waypoints and trails created from the TOPO! Explorer desktop application can be printed as well.

TOPO! Explorer’s desktop application also contains an easy-to-use GPS manager. Users can connect their GPS receiver; browse its contents; and drag/drop waypoints, routes and tracks to and from a compatible GPS device. Users can also mark and manage points of interest on the detailed maps and load those to their receiver. Magellan’s Triton GPS handheld units also allow users to import maps from TOPO! Explorer for viewing on-screen.

National Geographic Maps was established as a division of the National Geographic Society in 1915 and has been producing maps for National Geographic magazine and other Society groups for more than 90 years. National Geographic Maps produces TOPO! and Weekend Explorer 3D outdoor recreation mapping software, Trails Illustrated maps and software, globes, wall maps, travel maps and atlases, and professional software. For more information on National Geographic Maps, www.natgeomaps.com.

EVERGREEN, COLO. (May 30, 2008)—National Geographic has released an updated Trails Illustrated outdoor recreation map for the Santa Monica National Recreation Area, detailing the largest urban national park in the United States, from Point Mugu to Will Rogers State Beach. This revision was completed in cooperation with local federal and state agencies in preparation for BioBlitz, a joint event between National Geographic and the National Park Service, taking place in the Santa Monica Mountains on May 30-31, 2008.

The Santa Monica National Recreation Area Trails Illustrated map is available at outdoor retailers and can be ordered online at www.shopNG.com or by calling (800) 962-1643. Suggested retail price is $11.95. The map is printed on waterproof, tear-resistant material and contains latitude/longitude and UTM grids, a park activity guide, safety information, and thoroughly researched and revised hiking, biking and horse trails, recreational points-of-interest, boundaries and roads. The 1:40,000-scale map measures approximately 4 1/4" x 9 1/4" when folded and 25.5" x 37.75" when fully opened.

Areas contained on this map include Runyon Canyon, Fryman Canyon, Franklin Canyon, Fossil Ridge, Mission Canyon, Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park, Westridge Canyonback Park, Rustic Canyon Park, Temescal Canyon Park, Topanga State Park, Tuna Canyon, Malibu Creek State Park, Corral Canyon, Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space, Zuma/Trancas Canyons, Point Mugu State Park, Leo Carrillo State Park and more.

Trails Illustrated maps provide guidelines for wilderness conduct specific to each region as well as safety and survival tips. The National Geographic Maps division supports Leave No Trace outdoor skills and ethics and provides information to map users to help them protect backcountry resources.

National Geographic Maps has updated or revised all of its California Trails Illustrated titles within the last year and is releasing five new maps for California’s Sierra Nevada, including:

• Carson-Iceberg / Emigrant / Mokelumne Wilderness Areas
• Eldorado National Forest
• Mammoth Lakes / Mono Divide
• Sierra National Forest
• Stanislaus National Forest

National Geographic Maps was established as a division of the National Geographic Society in 1915 and has been producing maps for National Geographic magazine and other Society groups for more than 90 years. National Geographic Maps produces TOPO! outdoor recreation mapping software, Trails Illustrated maps and software, globes, wall maps, travel maps and atlases, and professional software. For more information on National Geographic Maps, visit www.natgeomaps.com.

Press Release: 05/08

National Geographic Maps has launched a new national trails database, TOPO! ® Explorer, in beta format, at beta.topo.com.

The Web site and related software application will help outdoor enthusiasts locate accurate trail and recreation information nationwide. TOPO! Explorer presents users with National Geographic’s detailed topographic maps, aerial photography, a hybrid map made from the two, and an extensive, freely browsable, online database of trail descriptions, recommendations and unique points of interest. Users can customize and print their maps and connect with a GPS. The site also includes an extensive community component, where users can share their photos, video and recommendations.

During the month of May, users will be able to create free accounts, build their profiles, browse maps, participate in forums and begin posting reviews, comments and trip reports. National Geographic Maps will be adding new features and content leading up to the June 3, 2008, launch of a companion desktop application (Mac and PC compatible) that will enable users to share their photos, videos and trip files. The TOPO! Explorer application will be FREE to download.

TOPO! Explorer’s detailed maps and aerial photographs are known as SuperQuads. SuperQuads are composed of seven layers, including genuine USGS 1:24,000-, 1:100,000- and 1:500,000-scale topographic maps, i-cubed aerial photography, Tele Atlas roads, elevation models and a new HybridQuad™ that combines aerial photography and topographic contour lines. SuperQuads can be freely browsed and are available for purchase via download for $1.00 each.

Two new retail packages, TOPO! Explorer ($24.95) and TOPO! Explorer Deluxe ($49.95), will be available May 30 in stores or at www.shopNG.com. Both packages contain 25 map download credits for use on the TOPO! Explorer Web site. The Deluxe edition also includes a nationwide set of USGS 1:100,000-scale topographic maps, ideal for planning trips and browsing terrain.

Note: Product samples and artwork are available on request. Please contact Cindy Beidel at (202) 862-5286 or cbeidel@ngs.org. Publishers, trail groups and agencies interested in posting outdoor information to the TOPO! Explorer community should contact Mike Dyer, digital product manager, at (800) 962-1643 x 117 or mike@topo.com. Retailers interested in carrying TOPO! Explorer should contact David Jay, national sales manager, at (415) 257-6377 or djay@ngs.org.