Wild Maps: A Nature Atlas for Curious Minds

Wild Maps is a collection of infographic maps that showcase the beauty of nature, the locations of extinct species, and the countries that have launched animals into space. It also includes information on the avocado boom and the world's oldest trees.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Granta Books

Which nations have launched which animals into space?
Several countries have launched animals into space for various scientific and research purposes. Here are a few notable examples:

• Russia: In 1961, the Soviet Union launched the dog Laika into space aboard the Sputnik 2 spacecraft. Laika was intended to orbit the Earth and study the effects of space radiation on living organisms.
  
• United States: In 1957, the United States launched the monkey Albert II into space aboard the Jupiter C spacecraft. Albert II was part of a research program to study the effects of spaceflight on animals.
  
• Japan: In 1990, the Japanese space agency JAXA launched the chimpanzee Ham into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Ham was part of a research program to study the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body.
  
• European Space Agency: The European Space Agency has launched several animals into space as part of its research programs. These include the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, the roundworms Caenorhabditis elegans and C. briggsae, and the mice Mus musculus and M. m. musculus.
  

• Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula and is entirely landlocked. It is bordered by Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, but does not have any coastline.
  
• Qatar: Qatar is another country in the Arabian Peninsula that is entirely landlocked. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran, but does not have any coastline.
  
• Bahrain: Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf that is surrounded by the Gulf of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. While it does have some beaches and coastal areas, Bahrain is not considered a coastal country due to its landlocked nature.
  
• Israel: Israel is a country located in the Middle East that is bordered by Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Palestinian territories. While it does have a Mediterranean Sea coastline, it is also home to several inland deserts and mountains.
  
• Jordan: Jordan is a country located in the Middle East that is bordered by Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Palestinian territories. While it does have a Red Sea coastline, it is also home to several inland deserts and mountains.
  

• The Tasmanian tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus): The Tasmanian tiger was a large carnivorous marsupial that was endemic to the island of Tasmania. It was last sighted in the early 20th century, and is believed to have gone extinct due to hunting and habitat loss.
  
• The passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius): The passenger pigeon was a large bird that was endemic to North America. It was once the most abundant bird in the world, but it went extinct due to hunting and habitat loss. The last known passenger pigeon was sighted in 1871 in Ohio.
  
• The woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius): The woolly mammoth was a large herbivorous mammal that was endemic to Eurasia. It was last sighted in the late Pleistocene epoch, around 4,000 years ago. It is believed to have gone extinct due to climate change and habitat loss.
  
• The dodo (Raphus cucullatus): The dodo was a large flightless bird that was endemic to the island of Mauritius. It was last sighted in the early 17th century, and is believed to have gone extinct due to hunting and habitat loss.
  
• The great auk (Pinguinus impennis): The great auk was a large seabird that was endemic to the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. It was last sighted in the early 19th century, and is believed to have gone extinct due to hunting and habitat loss.
  

• Health benefits: Avocados are high in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, making them a popular choice for health-conscious consumers. They are also low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great snack option.
  
• Versatility: Avocados can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads and smoothies to tacos and guacamole. They are also easy to prepare and can be enjoyed on their own or as a topping for other foods.
  
• Marketing and advertising: Avocados have been heavily marketed and promoted by companies and influencers, leading to increased awareness and demand. This has been particularly prevalent in social media platforms, where avocado-related content has gone viral.
  
• Globalization: The availability of avocados has increased due to globalization, with avocados being grown in a variety of countries around the world. This has made them more accessible and affordable to consumers in different parts of the world.
  

• The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine Forest: Located in California, the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine Forest is home to the oldest known living trees on Earth. These trees are over 5,000 years old and can reach heights of over 130 feet.
  
• The Giant Sequoias of California: The Giant Sequoias of California are located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and are home to the largest living trees on Earth. These trees can reach heights of over 100 feet and diameters of over 30 feet.
  
• The Old Man of the Mountain: Located in New Hampshire, the Old Man of the Mountain is a granite formation that is home to the oldest known living tree on Earth. This tree was estimated to be over 4,000 years old before it collapsed in 2003.
  
• The Methuselah Tree: Located in Inyo National Forest in California, the Methuselah Tree is the oldest known living tree on Earth that has been verified by scientific measurement. It is over 4,800 years old and can reach heights of over 115 feet.
  

Beautifully designed and illustrated,Wild Maps is an eye-opening celebration of our world,and the plants and animals with whom we share it.

It features stunning infographic maps that showcase the diversity of plant and animal life on our planet,from the lush rainforests of the Amazon to the icy landscapes of Antarctica.

The book also includes informative essays and anecdotes that provide insight into the history, science, and conservation of the natural world.

Whether you are a nature enthusiast,a cartography buff,or simply someone who loves to explore the wonders of our planet,Wild Maps is a must-have book for anyone who wants to discover more about the incredible plants and animals that call our world home.

Weight: 838g
Dimension: 198 x 252 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783787104