Maine Atlas and Gazetteer remains popular and updated biennially by Garmin

4 articles · Updated · Press Herald · Apr 30

First published in 1976 by David DeLorme, the 96-page book still sells steadily across Maine, where about half the state lacks cell service.
Garmin, which bought DeLorme in 2016, says it has kept sales consistent for about a decade and reviews customer corrections for updates every couple of years.
Users say the atlas outperforms phone navigation on logging roads, campsites and remote fishing spots, while marked-up copies have also become family keepsakes and a symbol of Maine culture.

As GPS technology evolves, will paper atlases like the Gazetteer remain irreplaceable for off-road explorers, or is their niche under threat?

With digital navigation advancing rapidly, what makes Mainers still reach for the Gazetteer when venturing off the grid in 2026?

Could the Maine Atlas and Gazetteer’s detailed, tangible maps offer lessons for how we preserve memory and identity in an increasingly digital world?