Pre-Mason & Dixon: on the grid

[mutualcode at aol.com]

Vineland region still looks like a refuge from the glare.

Sent from my iPad

> On Dec 24, 2014, at 6:36 AM, Monte Davis <montedavis49 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> NASA's Suomi satellite images of global night lighting made a splash two years ago...
> 
> http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/NPP/news/earth-at-night.html
> 
> and are getting fresh play this week with a "Christmas lighting" angle. I was especially taken with this big image of the US. 
> 
> http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/images/712129main_8247975848_88635d38a1_o.jpg
> 
> Notice the prominent grid of lights in the Midwest, fading into the Great Plains -- obviously tracing the old township-and-section surveying layout that would follow Mason & Dixon's efforts. 
> 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survey_township
> 
> An ordinary map doesn't show nearly the same regularity of small towns themselves, nor of interstate highway exits. I think most of those must be simply shopping malls and gas station-minimart plazas at intersections of major county roads.
> 
> Gaze upon our Lines and Vistos, o Universe -- and drop in for a microwaved burrito and a Big Gulp! 
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