By Patricia H. Kushlis
Recommended Map Source
The University of Texas’s Perry-Castaneda map collection's holdings are extensive, online, and free. These maps are accessible, easy to download and often print out as JPEG files. The primary source of this wonderful international map collection is the CIA whose cartographers – although not infallible thanks mainly to fiscal restrictions on this and many other U.S. government agencies during the 1990s – are excellent.
Ignore the currently featured USA Today map of Fallujah and accompanying photo of all too earnest GIs poised to take the city. It takes too long to download for what its worth. Assume the posed photo is a before, not after shot. The USAToday map’s best qualities identify the city’s quarters by name and show the routes of the US troop advance.
If a map of this piece of the Iraq war is what you want, try the faster loading BBC map.
Better yet, skip this week’s war propaganda and take advantage of the real gems on the Perry-Casetenada site. These maps cover every corner of the globe, are listed alphabetically by continent and country and are current as well as historical.