The Great Indian Arc of the Meridian, begun in 1800, was the longest measurement of the earth's surface ever to have been attempted. Its 1600 miles of inch perfect survey took nearly fifty years, cost more lives than most contemporary wars, and involved equations more complex than any in the pre-computer age. Hailed as 'one of the most stupendous works in the history of science', it was also one of the most perilous. Through hill and jungle, flood and fever, an intrepid band of surveyors carried the Arc from the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent up into the frozen wastes of the Himalayas. William Lambton, an endearing genius, had conceived the idea; George Everest, an impossible martinet, completed it. Both found the technical difficulties horrendous. With instruments weighing half a ton, their observations had often to be conducted from flimsy platforms ninety feet above the ground or from mountain peaks enveloped in blizzard. Malaria wiped out whole survey parties; tigers and scorpions also took their toll.

Yet the results were commensurate. The Great Arc made possible the mapping of the entire Indian subcontinent and the development of its roads, railways and telegraphs. India as we now know it was defined in the process. The Arc also resulted in the first accurate measurements of the Himalayas, an achievement which was acknowledged by the naming of the world's highest mountain in honour of Everest. More important still, by producing new values for the curvature of the earth's surface, the Arc significantly advanced our knowledge of the exact shape of our planet.

"More extraordinary than any fiction."
CHARLOTTE CORY, MAIL ON SUNDAY

"A triumph."
ANDREW TAYLOR, LITERARY REVIEW

"This wonderful book – surely Keay's most compelling, and one of the most remarkable works of non-fiction to be published this year – is a fitting monument not just to Everest but also to the Great Arc itself."
WILLIAM DALRYMPLE, SUNDAY TIMES

The OS Landranger Map series covers Great Britain with 204 detailed maps, perfect for day trips and short breaks. Each map provides all the information you need to get to know your local area and includes places of interest, tourist information, picnic areas and camp sites, plus Rights of Way information for England and Wales. OS Landranger now includes a digital version of the paper map, accessed through the OS smartphone app, OS Maps.

OS Explorer is the Ordnance Survey's most detailed map and is recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities like walking, horse riding and off-road cycling. The OS Explorer range of OL maps includes a digital version of the paper map, accessed through the OS smartphone app, OS Maps. Providing complete GB coverage the series details essential information such as youth hostels, pubs and visitor information as well as rights of way, permissive paths and bridleways.

(Edition updated in 2022) Michelin USA Pacific Northwest Map 171 (scale: 1:1,267,000) part of Michelin's US regional map series with bright green covers zooms in close for comprehensive coverage of Washington and Oregon, extending up over the Canadian border and down to the northernmost areas of California and Nevada. It contains city inset maps for easy driving in Boise, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria. Outdoor enthusiasts have their choice of national parks for scenery and activities: Olympic, North Cascades, Mount Rainier and Crater Lake. Michelin star-rated sights and a selection of not-to-be-missed annual events and festivals serve as inspiration for future road trips. The map includes a comprehensive index, a distance chart, and a multi-language legend in English and Spanish. Those traveling for business or pleasure, as well as locals traveling further afield, will appreciate Michelin's high standard of clear and accurate mapping and the additional information on parks, events and points of interest to make the journey more enjoyable. MICHELIN ZOOM MAPS are perfect to discover major tourist areas, with a high level of details in an easy to use format. They nicely complement our Michelin Guides and include: * Various leisure activities, such as water parks, tourist trains, horse racing, etc * Scenic routes and tourist sights crossed referenced with the famous Michelin's Green Guides * Camping sites information from Michelin's Camping Guides * Hotel information from the world famous MICHELIN Guides

Scale : 1:300,000 Flat Size : 965 x 660 mm.

National Geographic's Trails Illustrated Maps are the most detailed and up-to-date topographic recreation maps available for US National Parks, National Forests and other popular outdoor recreation areas. A necessity for exploring the outdoors, each map is printed on waterproof, tear-resistant material. They also contain key safety and contact information, GPS and compass coordinates, Leave No Trace ethical guidelines and hundreds of points-of-interest, including scenic viewpoints, campgrounds, boat launches, swimming areas, marine sanctuaries and wildlife refuges. Scale : 1:35,000 Flat Size : 965 x 660 mm.

Full-colour road atlas of Wales, with extended coverage into England and including all the major routes into the country. The detailed road mapping also includes Liverpool, Warrington, Nantwich, Shrewsbury, Hereford, Bristol and Severn River Crossings. Published at a clear 2.5 miles to 1 inch the following features are shown on the road mapping: Motorways open with full junction detail, motorways under construction and proposed, motorway service areas, primary routes and destinations, A and B roads, selected minor roads, gradients 1:5 and steeper, tolls, mileages, national and county boundaries, spot heights and hill shading Selected places of interest, tourist information centres and golf courses National Park boundaries for Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire Coast Also included are 21 city, town, airport, or port plans for; Aberystwyth; Bangor; Cardiff; Caernarfon; Carmarthen; Chester; Colwyn Bay; Hereford; Llandudno; Llanelli; Merthyr Tydfil; Newport; Prestatyn; Rhyl Shrewsbury; Swansea; Wrexham; Cardiff International Airport; Holyhead Port; and Pembroke Dock. Two separate indexes provide extensive coverage of cities, towns, hamlets, and places of interest within Wales. Corresponding map symbols alongside each entry make for easy identification.

A fold-out visitor's map (scale 1: 250 000), that measures approximately 75 x 46 cm (W x H) when unfolded. Colour photos and text highlight major visitor sites. There are several information boxes giving an overview of the island's history and wildlife, notable people in the island's history and a time line from 1675 to 2010.

OS Explorer is the Ordnance Survey's most detailed map and is recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities like walking, horse riding and off-road cycling. The OS Explorer range of OL maps now includes a digital version of the paper map, accessed through the OS smartphone app, OS Maps. Providing complete GB coverage the series details essential information such as youth hostels, pubs and visitor information as well as rights of way, permissive paths and bridleways.

Pathfinder Hampshire(R) covers parts of the New Forest, South Downs and Fullerton. This selection offers interest, regional variety and balance of routes in Hampshire providing the best walks in the area. From an easy stroll through Bishop's Dyke to the much more challenging walks in the East Meion and the Downs this volume contains something for everyone. Covering walks through the whole of Hampshire both popular and little known scenic routes including Highland Water, Standing Hat and Brockenhurst. See walk locations by Looking Inside. Inside: *28 great Hampshire walks from 2 to 10 miles * Clear, large scale Ordnance Survey route maps * GPS reference for all Hampshire walk waypoints * Where to park, good pubs and places of interest on route * All routes have been fully researched and written by expert outdoor writers * Beautiful photography of scenes from the walks Pathfinder(R) Guides are Britain's best loved walking guides. Made with durable covers, they are the perfect companion for countryside walks throughout Britain. Each title features circular walks with easy-to-follow route descriptions, large-scale Ordnance Survey route maps and GPS waypoints.With over 70 titles in the series, they offer essential information for walkers throughout the country.

The OS Landranger Map series covers Great Britain with 204 detailed maps, perfect for day trips and short breaks. Each map provides all the information you need to get to know your local area and includes places of interest, tourist information, picnic areas and camp sites, plus Rights of Way information for England and Wales. OS Landranger now includes a digital version of the paper map, accessed through the OS smartphone app, OS Maps.

The OS Landranger Map series covers Great Britain with 204 detailed maps, perfect for day trips and short breaks. Each map provides all the information you need to get to know your local area and includes places of interest, tourist information, picnic areas and camp sites, plus Rights of Way information for England and Wales. OS Landranger now includes a digital version of the paper map, accessed through the OS smartphone app, OS Maps.