MAA Writing Awards
Coloring Ordinary Maps, Maps of Empires, and Maps of the Moon
Award: Carl B. Allendoerfer
Year of Award: 1994
Publication Information: Mathematics Magazine, Vol. 66(1993), pp. 211-226
Summary: A discussion of generalizations of the Four Color Theorem to coloring countries (empires) with disconnected components.
About the Author: (from Mathematics Magazine, Vol.66 (1993)) Joan P. Hutchinson began seriously coloring maps in 1973, after receiving her Ph.D. from The University of Pennsylvania. She has taught primarily at Smith College and at Macalester College. Her many enjoyable sabbaticals at and visits to other colleges and universities, along with her interest in mountain climbing and backcountry skiing, have made her appreciate the importance of well-colored maps.
