"Tectonic model would not work for continent: North America, South America, Caribbean, Eurasia (no Europe at all), Africa, Arabia, India, Philippine, Australia and Antarctic and a few underwater plates: Pacific, Nazca and Coco.To me, nomenclature changes as people see fit (or impose their way). @Huw said:"As someone mentioned in the comments to the press release, the continent that encompasses Australia and surrounding islands has not been named correctly, which is an unfortunate mistake. I like play sets with minifigs, etc. This is unavoidable unless Lego starts producing extremely large globe shapes with pre-printed continents on themwhich would essentially be a globe. It seems likely to me this is our actual point of dispute.Thank you for the interesting reply. And every single one of us who was taught otherwise in school (which, Im gonna assume was most of us) was taught wrong. Recently Lego has been focusing on rather unnecessary features to the detriment of important ones, for example the glow in the dark labels instead of getting Europe at least somewhat correct, or having a Pythagorean triangle for the Boutique Hotel to the detriment of more rooms. Toll-Free started with just 800, then expanded to 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833, in that order. It just isn't going to happen unless you scale up massively to the size of the Wall Art piece which isn't perfect either. Im much happier with this display with approximate representations of land masses done with actual LEGO pieces than say a globe covered in printed plaques of the various countries/continents (or god forbid, stickers). I dunno but I don't like it. Nevertheless, I would recommend 21332 The Globe following a discount and much prefer this geographical creation to 31203 World Map! @PurpleDave said:"Anyways, if you actually research them, ZIP codes are most definitely areas. Oceania is far more common than Australasia these days, as it more obviously refers to the inclusion of New Zealand and the many Pacific Islands. @RUL said:"Next year expecting the version for "Flat Earthers". @skadebo said:"Reading these comments feels like folks don't understand what Lego is. Continents are a way to describe real places, but they are neither conceptually coherent nor particularly useful.Continents are not better than other terms for regions.As an aside, neither ZIP codes nor area codes are, in general, areas. the UK is already far too big here; the rest of europe couldn't follow that exampleas for the price, this is already a wonderful price for piece value. After completing the globe, this whole structure slots neatly into its frame using Technic axles. This is a LEGO model, you kinda have to expect it to look the way it does. Otherwise it would stop spinning with the Pacific Ocean showing every time (and the heavier European side facing down). I can get an accurate one , with illumination for 30 bucks. I notice they did not miss off Japan and Hawaii this time, after they had to reprint the last globe they did because of that oversight https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=3626cpb2842https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=3626cpb2892. As Mr Clinton famously once said: "it depends on what the definition of 'is' is. Nevertheless, these printed elements display a lovely font and their colours match the surrounding terrains. This colour combination looks fantastic and I appreciate the printed compass in the Atlantic Ocean, denoting the approximate position of the Greenwich Meridian. I really don't see any display value here. DSII, too, if someone can figure out how to cheat around the giant gaps where the frame would need to go. @chefkaspa:Im pretty sure Waterworld, ignoring chemistry and physics, had all the ice on the planet melt, _EXPAND_ to a much larger volume, fill all the planet until just the tip of Mount Everest was visible, and pushed the atmosphere up to a higher altitude so people could hang out in skimpy outfits without flash-freezing. It works really well. After all, Europe really is very small, and Id far rather it be depicted accurately than have it be inflated in size as per historic maps, with all the associated self-importance.From a practical perspective, I think the quarter circle 1x1 tile above Spain could simply be rotated to be depict France, with the point representing Brittany. Im really just kidding. The vertical support feels equally strong, with plates covering multiple brackets before curved slopes are attached across the exterior. Represent it by buying a second copy and adding a second layer of blue, with one 1x1 round plate where Everest is located. "I appreciate the elaborate, thoughtful, and almost entirely correct response. "Even our reviewer was off-put by the site of studs in the "wood.". "The Lego designer followed the Risk boardgamr map. If you have LEGO news, new images or something else to tell us about, send us a message. DS is almost certain to happen. Scan the globe and it brings up additional maps and details on the area viewed etc.It also seems somewhat repetitive to build and not especially difficult either. The globe therefore continues to rotate after being spun, as these weights cleverly prolong the rotation. Play value, on the other hand, is most definitely absent. It's a model, it won't replicate the real thing. ZIP Code Tabulation Areas are areas, but they are not the same thing; they exist precisely because ZIP codes aren't areas. It didnt really take off with the public, but the USPS still uses that and more behind the scenes. Of course we all like and want different things from Lego, but there is always room for more ranges and themes within the Lego Universe for people to enjoy (unless it's VIDIYO obviosuly ;-)) I have some of the Botanicals range in my living room and they've been a real talking point for people who don't appreciate what Lego can do or look like nowadays (and who possibly weren't aware of just how much I love those little bricks). "I agree. The +4 was an attempt to further divide this area into smaller chunks, from individual P.O. However, ZIP codes are still not areas. Maybe if someone told them this was possible, they might not blow off buying a copy because of a tiny handful of missing/misplaced parts? Rubber tyres are attached underneath the base, firmly supporting this model on flat surfaces. The panels feature alternating shapes with varying external details, but are otherwise identical. @Huw said:"As someone mentioned in the comments to the press release, the continent that encompasses Australia and surrounding islands has not been named correctly, which is an unfortunate mistake. "Various school systems may pick and choose their favourite conventions, but at the end of the day there simply isnt a single objectively correct answer. States ended up splitting area codes as well. A few years ago I would have been blown away by it. This globe is way too inaccurate, and it is just unacceptable that Europe cannot be recognized! @CapnRex101:So, Im not sure if people are aware of this, but I hear its possible to modify the design, with pieces you buy later, or pull from your collection. *PS:* Is there a way for me to see my posts from article comments? ), but it would make it rather unwieldy.The price seems a bit steep and surely higher than I would have expected, but considering the piece count, the number of unique prints and also the gold lacquered gold pieces, it doesn't seem unreasonable. Sets like this can simply not replicate the level of detail needed for an accruate map. To me Australia is the continent alone; Australasia or Oceania is the region including most of what surround Australia (including Australia). What you take as exceptions I take as counterexamples. And it makes Europe as a continent look even less defensible. With dinosaurs. I agree with Rex about the size issues; yes, some areas are noticeably inaccurate, but thats the price for it being made out of lego. Local post offices will have one of those assigned to them, so 90210 is the post office for Beverly Hills.The +4 that nobody really even pays attention to anymore (the automated sorting system is better at figuring that out than we humans proved to be) are geographically defined. The shape of the base also provides impressive stability, although the transition between the base and the frame appears awkward in certain areas. @Suboptimal :Ah, yes, 877 makes more sense. However, the chosen construction method creates unavoidable gaps and they are especially visible on land, standing out against the green elements. 800.ZIP codes are not areas. No matter what people write on the subject (me included) this debate will never end; it's all based on subjective definitions. Please keep it up. A tough spot for Lego, as a good portion of their buyers must be in Europe and Europe is looking a little ragged.But thats a quirk of humanity where geopolitical sway and population are often concentrated in very small spaces. Realistically, I am not sure how much better it could be.For instance, Italy is certainly too short, but elongating Italy would also mean extending the Balkans. I dont need to prove LEGO can be used to build anything. @MrMonkey said:"Awesome review! However I am far more interested in trying some of those building techniques on my Mos Eisley MOC - Ive been trying figure out how to do proper domes for far too long! However, I find superfluous photos that don't add to the review quite distracting. But the more I think about it, I think I will buy it so I can modify it to represent Land of Ooo . This one will sit pretty on a table but not something to educate anyone with. Reddish brown and metallic gold elements then enshroud the frame, including wedge plates, tiles and curved slopes. The moon, or some of the Solar planets are other possibilities, as are various sci-fi locales. @drussell said:"Hollow earth confirmed. It's like a "flow bump" for the reader. Scientifically speaking, there are only four Great Lakes, as theres no change in water level in the Straits of Mackinac (which is about five miles wide), so Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are considered by the scientific community to be one giant lake (Huron-Michigan), which would make it the largest freshwater lake by volume, by surface area, and coastline. That got my argument nowhere in their eyes, since I looked like just another boastful United Statesian (you can't call yourself an American there either or else they'd say it was more boasting)! I was torn at first about buying it. It's set 31203. Its meant to be a Lego depiction of a globe, and thus will have to cut some corners, especially when it comes to shapes. This set looks awesome! But would it be worth the price?There are 2000+ parts that could be taken as justification. That got my argument nowhere in their eyes, since I looked like just another boastful United Statesian (you can't call yourself an American there either or else they'd say it was more boasting)! @Bricklestick said:"Re Europe, I think its a little short-sighted to complain about the depiction. In a few of the images the whole mod looks really nice, but at the end of the day Europe (and even North America) look like a complete mess and do not accurately capture the continents. @MisterBrickster said:" @Huw said:"Ok, yes, it seems it's not a mistake, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_ (continent), although I am sure it was not called that when I went to school! Then the UP split off, then the western half got split N/S, and finally 616 got reduced to just the small area encompassing Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, and Holland.Geographically, most of the US consists of places that are served by a single area code. Three foreign nations are incorporated into the USPS delivery system by Compact of Free Association (Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau). Taking the inherent limitations of constructing spheres using LEGO, I think 21332 The Globe looks marvellous. I don't mind the gaps at all, they resemble the lines of longitude and latitude. By that definition, there are four continents, being Australia, Afro-Eurasia, the Americas, and Antarctica. Gaps between the segments are therefore almost completely closed, especially after fixing the outermost tiles. Nice set, but not my cup of tea, especially with the price tag. Definitely waaaaay too expensive, won't be buying this one. The angular assembly which supports the globe also features occasional exposed studs, but their distribution is absolutely consistent. Each vessel has a home port, but Ive never sent mail to someone who was stationed on a ship, so I have no idea how its addressed, or if its required to bounce through home port before being forwarded to the ship. Thinking Australasia is a continent is just as silly as thinking Eurasia is a continent. I can only suppose it is done to bring it to rest in the same poaitin each time. Most panels include landmasses or other decoration, assembled using various plates, wedge plates and tiles. I am surprised by the somewhat negative response to the geography. @Huw as far as I know there's no strict convention. @PurpleDave said:" @Suboptimal:Continents are real things, though the dividing line between really small continent and really big island is one that has never been clearly defined, largely due to the unlikelihood of having a new landmass pop up that falls somewhere between Australia and Greenland in size.They are also meaningful things, for the same reason that telephone area codes and postal zip codes are meaningful. It looks like there will be space for anyone who wants to use tiles to mark places they've visited (admittedly trickier on any areas with a lot of tiles, unless you replace the tile with a plate). They serve to limit the scope of geography that you have to pay attention to when searching for the location of a particular place. How many people look at this representation of Europe and recognise it? I also like the model. Like, no sh*t dude, I know my home when I see it! The spherical design seems effective and features authentic landmasses, despite this challenging shape. Globes vary dramatically in size and design, but this example appears wonderfully traditional. I'm not sure what students are learning these days. My two cents regarding the Summary box. They serve to limit the scope of geography that you have to pay attention to when searching for the location of a particular place. The system recognized which number you dialed by how long the pulse was. They were a lot more regular in shape than the average voting district, and much less changeable. I think it looks great and Im looking forward to building it! This provides some additional colour and identifies the location of the aforementioned tyres, which actually serve as weights! The colour scheme is absolutely perfect and the continents are reasonably realistic too, despite the inevitable presence of small gaps. *shrug*. I know people who have bought sets like these who had never bought Lego before, or very little Lego, so I think they do a great job overall.The scaling issue leading to Europe looking odd aren't too much of an issue for me either. If only that used these colors @MisterBrickster said:"All these people from European countries complaining about their countries being too small to be seen have clearly never played the Earth map on Civ. The force required to click the last section in place when you can't get your hand inside to press from the other side would risk smashing the whole sphere to bits! @monkyby87 I think that typewriter and ship in a bottle don't have display value either. This is another example of conflating most and all.Specifically, area codes 500, 521-525, 533, 544, 555, 566, 577, 588, 600, 622, 700, 710, 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 867, 888, and 900 exist. "In addition to overlays, partial overlays, and the like, there are purpose area codes, e.g. "Various school systems may pick and choose their favourite conventions, but at the end of the day there simply isnt a single objectively correct answer. I regret the error.The only number in 710 can, given that secret code, apparently be used to dial any other number with special priority rules (possibly only within the United States or the areas under the NANP). They are very nicely executed, though. It has only been in the last few decades that the increase in US phone numbers has forced the telephone system to have some overlaid area codes, meaning that it is now necessary where I live to dial the area code even for a local phone call. 99.9999999% of it is completely clear. "The map is not the territory. @Huw said:"Ok, yes, it seems it's not a mistake, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_ (continent), although I am sure it was not called that when I went to school! As a rule, Lego does not do "organic" shapes well. Regarding the continent Down Under: I can't see the word "Oceania" without thinking of 1984. They are very nicely executed, though. But if you look up any map of area codes, they are clearly blocked out by geographic divisions, hence the area in area code. I really like it, even if the price means that it will be a delayed purchase at some point (probably).I think the Australia/Australasia thing was ultimately determined by the far smaller font size that would have been required for the longer word.Re Europe, I think its a little short-sighted to complain about the depiction. ;-). The only question is if I wait for a discount or buy it for the full price"I think theres a pretty easy answer to that question!. "What name did you learn in school? The excellent appearance of this model therefore seems beyond doubt, although I do harbour concerns regarding the expensive price of 174.99, $199.99 or 199.99. Or perhaps are you forgetting everything you know to do with Australia to avoid remembering the absolute drubbing we handed out to your cricket team? I get more out of the review this way.Regarding goats and sloths. this is the far better solution by far. Awesome review! I learned in much of Latin America there is no distinction between North and South America, only one American continent and they were convinced that USA residents trying to have a North and South America difference was our pride and hubris trying to create our own continent. I still dont understand why this is even a LEGO set. Business-only and uninhabited ZIP codes exist but don't generally have corresponding ZCTAs. Its nice to have all parts printed and no stickers (Except maybe the "artic ocean" dish on top ? But "Globe", really? We do this with states, provinces, counties, boroughs, districts, and various other purely political divisions as well, though these usually include some form of government to oversee them. The similarity between that model and 21332 The Globe seems remarkable, given their differing ages, but this technique remains effective. Currently, there is only one known phone number on that area code, which requires a 12-digit passcode to access. The little wedge tile is shaped almost exactly like a boot. None of them start with 1, because thats how you dial out of your area code (1+) or country (11+). Specifically, ZIP stands for Zone Improvement Plan. Overall interesting, but not something Im planning to make room for. Using Australia for the continent here seems to fit, and seems chosen to work within the context of the tile size & typography used as much as anything.The wheels used inside for the rotational mass seem a bit odd. I don't feel it is an excellent display piece nor do I feel it has remarkably accurate geography. Looks far, far better than I hoped it would and looks to be a very intricate and clever design inside, but unfortunately that is a little dear for me currently. Of course it'd have to take hindsight and/or something like this thread for everyone to realize that everything was just made up after all. Can Europe be improved in 21332 The Globe? @sklamb:Yeah, extending the base so its large enough to include Pluto (with a sign that says Pluto: Definitely a Planet) probably would break the bank. I don't think I've ever seen consensus on the debate of Australia as an island/country/continent. I wrote something more elaborate, but it seems to have failed to post. @CapnRex101 said:"Realistically, I am not sure how much better it could be. Not 175 fantastic however.Liking the new review pros and cons box @huw thank you :). They were a lot more regular in shape than the average voting district, and much less changeable. @sklamb said:"When I was younger (not so very much younger, either) Area Codes in the USA were very definitely "areas" just as much as States were; the map was printed in the front of every phone book, making it very easy to decide what area code served a particular area. In the Forum, you can view the list of topics and comments. Finally, metallic gold highlights and an elegant nameplate are mounted on the base. Oddly, 899, which fits the ERC format theyre currently working through, is reserved for future expansion of geographic area codes. After all, Europe really is very small, and Id far rather it be depicted accurately than have it be inflated in size as per historic maps, with all the associated self-importance.From a practical perspective, I think the quarter circle 1x1 tile above Spain could simply be rotated to be depict France, with the point representing Brittany. @Huw said:"As someone mentioned in the comments to the press release, the continent that encompasses Australia and surrounding islands has not been named correctly, which is an unfortunate mistake. The various modifications suggested by @PurpleDave suddenly made this set much more appealing to me, but given the price is as much as several other sets I want much more, I'm afraid I still won't be buying it. @lost_scotsman:Anyone who excludes Pluto as a planet because it doesnt clear its orbit has never looked at Plutos orbit compared to the solar plane from the side. The resultant shapes seem surprisingly effective. Just move around the pieces to change it! "Italy is one of the more obvious Europe areas to me. Is there going to be a Moon, Mars, as well? Western Union has revived the TWX as Telex II, but they now use a 6-digit number system where the first number corresponds to the nearest local exchange, so it exists outside of the defined scope of the NANP.All of the 5xx numbers on your list are part of the PCS (personal communications services) group. @alegrispa said:"Can't wait to build a Dreath Star with this technique!Also, does the "The Earth" plaque seem entirely redundant to anyone else? Seems like a very inexpensive set of modifications if one thinks that they could achieve a more accurate design. The world is a fascinating place. Please log in to post comments on this article. I think it used to be either 30 or 60 minutes. They are closer to groups of routes or sometimes postal facilities. However, despite the name, many non-geographic area codes exist. Looks pretty good, but I think the "wooden" construction is too chunky and makes the globe quite imbalanced.However, I don't buy any display models, so it's not for me anyway.And btw, I really dislike the new summary boxes at the beginning of a review. $199.99 is madness. But at least the quality is also there, they didn't really cut any corners like they too often do.I did however also watch the review by Tiago, and when he puts all of the segments next to each other I can't help but feel this will be a somewhat tedious building experience. sunflowers and some star wars sets availableT. Too chunky? I learned in much of Latin America there is no distinction between North and South America, only one American continent and they were convinced that USA residents trying to have a North and South America difference was our pride and hubris trying to create our own continent. "The definition of what a Continent is varies a lot and different places have a different number of continents and names depending on the convention and model.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continent"Yes, it's really surprising me how many people in this thread think continents are a real, meaningful thing. As it should be in a 200 18+ display set. I like your writing style @CapnRex101.Probably a day 1 purchase for me. Reading these comments feels like folks don't understand what Lego is. Nevertheless, this model integrates an interesting panelled structure, starting with an equatorial ring. The surrounding wedge plates and tiles ensure welcome fidelity to Antarctica's actual shape and similar white elements appear around the Arctic Ocean, representing areas of perennial snow on Greenland and Ellesmere Island. Is the " are you going to get it" mini poll at the end of some reviews a thing of the past as I liked it and thought it a nice barometer of interest in a set especially sets like this.Edit. "I was thinking that for ALL plaques. The price is kinda expensive cause there are issues with this set. This one will sit pretty on a table but not something to educate anyone with. If the whole thing is sturdy enough to survive falling off a shelf that's a bit of a win for LEGO. What I really like are the colours, which are much nicer than the colours on the map that was released last year. It's just a shame about some smaller details, like europe, being so hard to get right at this scale. It used the same phone connection system as POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) (yes, seriously), but the two were purposefully not allowed to place calls to each other. One side of me wants it because I love globes and LEGO. I presume that's their official stance. @Huw said:"Ok, yes, it seems it's not a mistake, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_ (continent), although I am sure it was not called that when I went to school! Technically the whole Northern Hemisphere (roughly) should be called Eurasia but we use the much better and more useful terms of Europe and Asia. My home town was in 616, which covered the western half of the lower peninsula of Michigan (the mitten), plus the entire UP. And every single one of us who was taught otherwise in school (which, Im gonna assume was most of us) was taught wrong"Well not only that but schools in different countries are taught different things. "The definition of what a Continent is varies a lot and different places have a different number of continents and names depending on the convention and model.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continent"Yes, it's really surprising me how many people in this thread think continents are a real, meaningful thing.