Contour Lines
by Peter J. King

………………………………………………………………………………..*****
Reading Maps: Between the Lines
by Peter J. King

1. Isotherms

………………………………..the Arctic Circle’s no such thing —
…………………..its border loops and detours ……………….bulges
………………………………………………………………………………(see where the BeringSea’s
………………………………………………………………………………………a magnet, pulling out the
………………………………………………………………………….isotherm like iron filings on the chart)

the northern tree-line gives a clue;
………..it almost marks the line upon the Earth
…………………(though leaves us free to fill in gaps
……………………………………where sea intrudes)
…………………………………………………tracing forest edges
……………………………………………………………scattered larches
……………………………..with their trailing skirts

……………………….the Arctic Circle is a southern latitude
….within the northern hemisphere…………………………. the sun
……………………………………………………………………………..on the horizon
…………………………………………………………………………is constant at the centre
…………………………………………………………and it rises in the middle of the afternoon

…………………………the Arctic Circle is a midnight line
………..and gives a direct view of mountain peaks
…………………..when the…