You've had normal globes for some time now. You've always been a traditionalist in this respect, purchasing the globe that is the most modern representation of the world. But did you realize that the faces of gloves have been changing for some time? No longer are they just a plastic or acrylic circle on a stand that shows off the continents. Many of today's globes can offer a much better view of the world, as we know it.
Some of the more popular globes that are for sale today are illuminated globes. These are representations of the earth that will literally have your home glowing as soon as you turn them on. For the most part these globes emit a soft light that causes the surface to glow. When turned on this light helps to define the divisions between continents and countries, and show other landmarks around the planet. Some can even show ocean currents and other features. Imagine trying to teach your children about the world when they can see it glow and pulse as if it were really alive in front of them.
Some illuminated globes take their job even further. There is one design that actually shows the landmasses of the earth in the colors that are almost exactly what they would look like from space. The illumination helps you see the borders between the countries and all the currents of the ocean, so you can see how the major water masses on the earth affect the workings of the planet.
Another illuminated globe is good for studies at day or night. In the daytime setting it shows the planet earth in all its glory. You can watch a well-lit planet spin on its axis. You can even tell it to stop spinning if you want to look at a particular portion of the planet. And at night, this globe becomes one of a different color. Turn all the lights off and you will see 88 of the constellations that fill the night sky. This globe is even smart enough to update itself to the accurate location of the constellations.
While you may like the idea of these globes there are a couple of down sides to them. First, if you are not a fan of plastic, you may want to look the other way. All illuminated globes are plastic. Also, remember this globe requires a light to glow. That means it requires electricity. That means there is going to be a cord coming out of it. If you were not planning on putting it in an area of the room that is near an electrical outlet, this could be a problem.
After the couple of drawbacks, if you are thinking of adding to your globe collection and do not yet have one as a part of it, it's time to expand and broaden your horizons. With an illuminated globe you will not only broaden your horizons, but also brighten them, as soon as you plug it in.