Microsoft's Encarta96 World Atlas

The Encarta96 World Atlas is a very detailed, electronic, multimedia package. Electronic atlases can have several advantages over paper ones. They may offer tools for making customized maps and often provide access to geometric data such as coordinates and distances. In addition, the user can pan across maps, zoom in on chosen areas and view animations. However, like their paper counterparts, electronic atlases are only useful if properly structured. The user must know the possibilities open to them, how to access information and how to get back to the starting point. In effect, the electronic atlas must have a 'map' of its own.