IRISH 1: 50,000 FIRST SERIES 1978 SHEET 9—BALL YMENA, LARNE—A REVIEW

In keeping with contemporary trends in countries nurtured on feet and inches, the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland broke with well over a century's tradition in July of 1978 by introduCing a 1 : 50,000 metricated replacement for its most popular small scale map, the 1 : 63,360 “one inch”, third series. Whilst it is true that the design specification has been guided by the experience of the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain in their recently similar exercise, the final result differs considerably in general appearance, due principally to the retention of layer colouring. Hence the traditionalist will remain reassured that lowlands are indeed lush and green whilst high land becomes increasingly brown with altitude–which in fact is a true enough generalisation for the western British Isles.