Gaffney, South Carolina, USA

Joy to the world of Gaffney, with its nod to the first inhabitants, its role as county seat, its preference for patriots, its reputation for the best peaches anywhere, and the town's name itself. The images are all carefully-chosen icons that establish Gaffney's brand. Think of each one as an app, an invitation to find out more. [2022]

Brunswick, Georgia, USA

Welcome to Geography Awareness Week: It's time to appreciate maps on the landscape! The Governor's Office in Georgia apparently thinks a map will convince you to voluntarily buckle your seat belt. But, just in case the state map (in cautionary yellow) doesn't inspire enough compliance, a nasty threat has been added: "Click It or Ticket." [2010]

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Welcome to Geography Awareness Week: It's time to appreciate maps on the landscape! "Think Globally, Drink Locally": a perfect slogan to illustrate with a world map (though the proprietor might think of adding a dot for Providence). The take-away: maps sell! [2021]

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Welcome to Geography Awareness Week: It's time to appreciate maps on the landscape! In this case, by using a map, Arizona pays homage to Texas as the home of the best barbeque anywhere, and "that aint no bull." Maps are ever popular components of mural art around the country and the world. [2018]

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Welcome to Geography A-WEAR-NESS Week (get it?): It's time to appreciate maps on the landscape! You should find something geographical to WEAR this week! Cartographically-inspired T-shirts are popular choices. This one displays a thematic map showing what people in different regions call a carbonated beverage. Pop? Soda? Coke (generic)? [2014]

Harrington, Delaware, USA

Welcome to Geography Awareness Week: It's time to appreciate maps on the landscape! Everyone has grown just a tad tired of seeing so many yard signs, but at least they're disappearing now that election season is over. Have you noticed how many use a map? Why? What's the iconic value of an outline map of Delaware as an election prop? [2022]

Cleveland, North Dakota, USA

Welcome to Geography Awareness Week: It's time to appreciate maps on the landscape! The one on this coop grain elevator is easy to miss. That's because North Dakota's shape is so boxy. If you are still not seeing the map, here's a hint: It is framed in yellow. Your assignment for the week: Keep track of all maps that circulate into your field of vision. [2021]

Saxis, Virginia, USA

The Eastern Shore of Virginia (ESVA) is often left off Virginia maps, hence the slogan here. Each of the communities shown on this map has a post office of its own, with one exception. This month, Geographically Yours Welcome will feature a complete gallery of Accomack County post offices and postmarks, starting with the county seat. [2007]

Austin, Texas, USA

"love Yourself love the World": Make the world part and parcel of your very essence. It's your home. Just as you know every nook and cranny of the house you live in, you should know something about the nooks and crannies of the planet you live on. It may take a life time, but that's what you have: decades of learning and loving. Happy Birthday! [2009] 

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Pedal on, and take a friend with you. The world awaits. Visit as many countries as you can, meet as many people as you can, have as many experiences as you can. And, oh yes, don't forget to occasionally "phone home." Happy Birthday! [2022]

Boise, Idaho, USA

"Emma Edwards Green: Artist and Designer of official Idaho State Seal". The year was 1891, and her design included both a man (representing work) and a woman (representing justice). Mrs. Green remains the only woman to have designed a state seal. Today, its significance is even more impressive because it is the centerpiece of the Idaho state flag. [2020]

Mandai, Republic of Singapore

Maps on the landscape always attract attention, and that attention is especially appreciated when it comes from younglings. Why? Because it gets their eyes off their cell phones. But wait. The title of this map is Pokémon Trainers Map. Ugh! Looks like it might drive their attention to their cell phones. [2016]

Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

"Stand With Ukraine": Those words, along with blue and gold ribbons, quickly became part of the American landscape when a re-assembly of the Soviet Union began, thanks to "mother Russia." The people of Ukraine don't deserve this, and the people of Russia don't deserve to be led by a President who has turned back the clock an entire century. [2022]

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Apples are not a tropical fruit, so what country supplies them to markets in Cambodia? New Zealand. Cherries are not a tropical fruit, so what country supplies them to markets in Cambodia? USA. Amazing that freshness can be delivered over such distances! Amazing that Cambodians are now wealthy enough to partake (remember the 1970s)! [2016]

Millford, Ohio, USA

What do we put on a pedestal in American culture? Private enterprise. In this case, the message of capitalism is carried by a corporate van. It functions as something of a three-dimensional billboard, and its unusual position seems to be well-suited to catch your attention. [2017]

Bismarck, North Dakota, USA

Odds and Evens, Ones and Twos, Singles and Doubles, Which one be You? Here are two frontiersmen who will forevermore occupy the historical record as partners: Lewis and Clark. On this date in 1804, they reached what would become North Dakota. The setting: part of the original Lewis and Clark trail, which is now a numbered (look again!) highway. [2021]

Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Here's another state map on a street sign, but in this case the opus seems to be a public-private partnership. The public side: City of Lincoln. The private side: Nebraska Pork Producers. What if this idea took off in popularity? How would your community's cultural landscape look different? By the way, these two streets are in the state fair grounds. [2007]

York, Pennsylvania, USA

Every map needs a compass rose. So, thank you, York, for the appliqué. Now think about your county: What appliqué could you use to spotlight its place in the world? In the case of York County, your alternatives might be a barbell, a pretzel, or an animal cracker, all in the interest of enhancing everyone's sense of place. [2010]

Oxford, North Carolina, USA

Want to test your creativity? Look at the outline map of your state and turn it into something to be proud of in your local environment. Here's an example: Oxford is "Home to North Carolina's Hot Sauce Contest." Somebody has morphed the state map into a chili pepper. How creative! [2013]

Jonesboro, Georgia, USA

See the map? It's an outline of Clayton County. See the gateway to history? It says Historic Jonesboro, which is the county seat. How has your community branded its street signs? With a map? Its name? A historic silhouette? If you wanted to use a map, what would be your choice: state, county, municipality? [2015]