I was not aware of Karen Wynn Fonstad until a recent article from the New York Times “Overlooked” series. Overlooked are obituaries about people whose deaths (in this case in 2005) were unreported in the Times. Fonstad created the Atlas of Middle Earth to accompany the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. -via New York Times She had become enchanted with Tolkien’s works. Having studied cartography and completed a Master’s degree in Geography, she pitched the idea of creating an atlas to Tolkien’s American publisher. While Tolkien and his son drew the original maps* Fonstad’s atlas represents a complete picture of Middle Earth during all of its ages and across all of Tolkien’s books. It discusses the geology behind land formations and includes city maps and floor plans or important buildings. Here is a detail of Frodo and Sam’s route to Mount Doom. -via Wikipedia  Her work was well received by Tolkien fans and scholars alike. To illustrate her impressive landscape details, here is the southern section of the Misty Mountains. They have a nice Swiss Topo look. -from the American Geographical Society *also note the illustrations of Pauline Baynes

Alaska’s famous Iditarod dog sled race concluded last week. Global warming meant the route needed to be moved further north to start at Fairbanks instead of Anchorage. -Map via Anchorage Daily News While not the first time the route has run from Fairbanks, this year’s race was not planned to go along the northern route. The route was abruptly changed due to “low snow” conditions and reports that a challenging section of the trail was “completely bare, down to the dirt and rocks.” While there was still the ceremonial start in Anchorage, even that had to be shortened from 11 miles to a quick one and a half mile jaunt because there’s no snow on the ground. The snow along the truncated route was brought in from elsewhere and dumped along the course.

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, a Native American artist died a few weeks ago. Her artwork highlighted a Native worldview juxtaposed with American pop culture and included many maps. -via Center for Public Art History In State Names (2000) paint drips obscure the European derived names as well as state and national boundaries. Maps such as Memory Map (2000) highlight experiences over delineation of geographic boundaries. -via Whitney Museum of American Art Here is a detail from State Names Map: Cahokia (2023) -via St Louis Art Museum. The message from Smoke Signals Map (2021) is quite clear. You can see much more of her work on her web site. I will end with Adios Map (2021), showing different ways to say goodbye - to lives lost in pandemic, land destroyed by climate change among other goodbyes.

Ukraine was invaded by Russia three years ago. Since the new president of the United States is in full surrender to Putin mode and wants to blame Ukraine for starting the war, I am posting this map, from February 27, 2022. It is to remind anyone that needs reminding of who started this war. via AP - source: VOA News This one shows what Russia has gained (in red) in three years of war. Much of that area will likely be ceded to Russia if a “peace” deal is made without Ukraine. via Institute for the Study of War