Growing Phoenix Area Forces
Mapmaker to Make Map Smaller

PHOENIX — The metro Phoenix area continues to expand in all directions. The metro area now includes developments in Buckeye at 267th Avenue. Anthem and New River are now included in the northern end of the valley, Gold Canyon Ranch, Queen Creek and Johnson Ranch have now been added to the Southeast Valley.

Trying to show all this on a single wall map has been a bit of a challenge for local map maker Phoenix Mapping Service, a division of Wide World of Maps, Jim Willinger, director the publishing company comments: “Our 2004 edition full-detail wall map was 74”x 68”and the new expansions that are needed would make it 24 inches bigger in each direction. That is just too big for anyone to put on their wall. The cost for that large of a wall map would also be more than most would pay.”

Something had to be done. So, the creative team at Phoenix Mapping Service went to work on a new style of wall map that allows more map content into a smaller size. “We call it our mini-wall map detail. We show the entire street network including new sections of freeways, new subdivisions with all the new streets, but only major streets are labeled on the map. Other full detail features and location information (parks, golf courses, shopping centers, fire stations, post offices, stadiums, mountains, washes and etc.) are shown and labeled on the map.”

The new digitally prepared and updated Metro Phoenix Wall covers over 2,800 square miles and includes 29 cities and towns. Willinger adds: “With the new wall map detail we’ve been able to fit all of this into a reasonable 72” x 48” size. We’ve also added all the zip code boundaries, and you’ll find large blue squares on the map that indicate map pages. These map page indications refer customers to the specific pages in our map books so all of the street names and more detail of specific map features.”

“This wall map is going to be a popular item for government services and businesses that deliver to homes or offices, as well as construction companies and utility, real estate, home services and repair companies”, Willinger predicts. The wall map is a useful tools, that helps with planning, transportation, routing, marketing and customer service. Since these maps often displayed in offices, meeting rooms and hallways, it is also important that they look good. The attractive pastel colors, clear fonts and cartographic styles are used to produce the wall map that is suitable for any office décor. These 2005 Metro Phoenix wall map can even be mounted on pin-boards and framed for greater function and a more professional look.

The 2005 Metro Phoenix Wall Map is available now for $98.95, and $151.45 in a ready to hang laminated form, at Wide World of Maps Gallery stores in Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale. It can also be purchased by calling Wide World of Maps at 602-279-2323 or 800-279-7654, or visiting their website at www.maps4u.com.

Founded in 1975 by Robert Molner and James Willinger, Wide World of Maps is an Arizona-based map company with design, production, wholesale and retail activities. Its retail stores are located in Mesa at 1444 W. Southern Ave., in Phoenix at 2626 W. Indian School Rd., and the newest store in Scottsdale at 7325 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. The company’s website at www.maps4u.com features secure on-line shopping for thousands of items and consumer information about maps. The Phoenix Mapping Service division publishes the metropolitan street atlases for Phoenix and Tucson, Pinal County and Yavapai/Coconino Counties along with and a variety of custom maps for government and business. For information on anything map-related, call (602) 279-2323.

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