An atlas complements a globe and a globe complements an atlas. When used together, each has features that become excellent references and teaching tools. The advantage of a globe is that the world in its entirety is depicted on a sphere, showing land masses, countries and regions in true proportion. In addition, globes are an attractive decorative accessory for both home and office. Atlases are very useful for seeing a higher level of detail for a particular, focused area or for understanding how geography affects politics, climate, economy, etc.