The phrase refers to resources, typically images or documents, depicting a geographical representation of the Earth’s surface, designed for display and readily available for no cost in a format suitable for printing. As an example, a user might search online for a high-resolution image of the globe that can be downloaded and printed at home or at a print shop without incurring any expense for the digital file itself.
Access to such resources offers several advantages, including facilitating geographical education, providing decorative elements for homes or offices, and enabling cost-effective visual aids for various purposes. Historically, physical maps were expensive and less accessible; the advent of digital resources significantly democratized map access. The availability of these resources allows individuals and institutions to obtain visual representations of the world without budgetary constraints.
The following sections will delve into the types of map projections typically encountered, the considerations for print quality and resolution, and the legal aspects related to using freely available map resources.