James,
I’m sending you a link to some detailed maps of the world based on detailed data: several basic variables such as average precipitation, temperature variables, population, earth lights (and change in earth lights over time), biomass maps (vegetation) and more. Some linked pages contain data that can be used in virtual globes such as NASA World Wind.
If you explore the various links, you can find a wealth of high quality data that could be used in a long term grid down/other scenario where this basic world information could be very useful for travel, and more. This can also be used to “homeschool” children and adults in some basic high quality facts about how this planet operates.
Here are some examples:
Google Earth KMZ file for the whole earth colored topo in detail.
Highly detailed climate data that can be imported into a GIS program.
Explore with web searches for more.
Other data is out there, such as the TRMM detailed rainfall data from NASA.
Their references to “millions of years ago” are unscientific, but the data is very helpful.
Sincerely, – Calvin R.