WORLD TOUR

Greg Pliska

 

Each group of islands, when observed from above, forms a letter. Ordering the island groups from the Tuamoto Archipelago and heading east spells the answer phrase SOUTH OF GAY HEAD. The island south of Gay Head is NOMANSLAND.

 

NOMANSLAND is the correct answer to this puzzle.

 

(Island groups are given below, along with the longitude numbers in boldface.)

 

S          Reau, Pukarau, Tatakoto, Amanu, Hao, Pinaki, Marutea, Maria, Fangataufa, Tematangi

[Tuamoto Archipelago, French Polynesia; 134-141]

(http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/islands_oceans_poles/frenchpolynesia.jpg)

 

O            Obstruction, Orcas, Shaw, Lopez, Decatur, Blakeley

            [San Juan Islands, Washington; 123]

            (http://www.gonorthwest.com/Washington/sanjuan/Islands-Map.htm)

 

U         Devils, Bear, Oak, Stockton, Cat, North Twin

            [Apostle Islands, Wisconsin; 90-91]

            (http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parks/apis/ppMaps/APISmap1%2Epdf)

 

T          Cat, West Ship, East Ship, Horn; Chandeleur, Curlew

[Gulf Islands, MS; Chandeleur Islands, LA; 89]

            (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/national_parks/gulf_islands_park99.pdf; Rand-McNally Atlas)

 

H            Walker’s, Andros, Great Harbour, Current, Abaco, Great Guana

            [Bahamas; 73-76]

            (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/americas/bahamas_pol86.jpg)

 

O         South Caicos, East Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales, French, West Sand Spit,  Seal, Ambergris, Fish, Long

            [Turks and Caicos; 71.30-72.30]

            (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/islands_oceans_poles/turks_and_caicos_islands.jpg)

 

F          Calf, Lovell’s, Sheep, George’s Little Brewster

            [Boston Harbor Islands; 71.30]

            (http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parks/boha/ppMaps/map%5Fboha%2Epdf)

 

G         Shiant, North Uist, South Uist, Barra, Vatersay, Mingulay, Tiree, Coll, Muck, Eigg, Rhum, Canna

            [Outer and Inner Hebrides; 6-7] 

            (http://www.taste-of-scotland.com/mapfull.html [partial map]; atlas)

 

A         Melos, Serifos, Kithnos, Kea, Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos; Kithnos, Syros, Mykonos

            [Cyclades; 25-26]

            (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mapshells/europe/cyclades_islands/cyclades_islands.htm)

 

Y            Aldabra, Agalega, Amirante, Cargados Carajos

            [Seychelles, Mauritius; 46-59]

            (atlas)

 

H            Mindoro, Palawan, Balabac, Dumaran, Cebu, Biliran, Jolo

            [Phillipines; 120-124]

            (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/islands_oceans_poles/philippines.pdf)

 

E          Mejit, Kwajalein, Ailinglaplap, Jaluit, Mili; Namu, Maloelap

            [Marshall Islands; 165-171]

            (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/islands_oceans_poles/marshallislands.jpg)

 

A            Nikumaroro, McKean, Kanton, Enderbury, Rawaki, Manra; McKean, Birnie, Rawaki

            [Kiribati; 168-176]

            (http://www.kiritours.com/Data/maps/phoenix.htm)

 

D         Motu One, Tupai, Huahine, Maiao, Rurutu, Rimatara, Manuae

            [Society Islands/Tubuai Islands, French Polynesia; 154-150]

            (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/islands_oceans_poles/frenchpolynesia.jpg)