They are closer to groups of routes or sometimes postal facilities. The continent of Australia is fine. :)It really cracks me up that my fellow Europeans are complaining so much about the accuracy. Just like the ship-in-a-bottle, pop-up book, typewriter, adidas shoe, grand piano, fender stratocaster, botanic collection flowers, the various paintings, NES you get the idea.That said, the designer(s) and creator did a terrific job. ($319.99 AU for a hotel with only 3 rooms is a bit of a rip off), @Huw said:"Ok, yes, it seems it's not a mistake, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_ (continent), although I am sure it was not called that when I went to school! LEGO Ideas: Original Projects vs. Im really just kidding. I would probably need to see it first in a Lego shop to see if it can tempt me away from other alternatives. The moon, or some of the Solar planets are other possibilities, as are various sci-fi locales. @CapnRex101 said:"Realistically, I am not sure how much better it could be. I don't mind the gaps at all, they resemble the lines of longitude and latitude. However, the chosen construction method creates unavoidable gaps and they are especially visible on land, standing out against the green elements. https://www.lego.com/en-us/categories/adults-welcome/article/how-to-personalize-your-lego-ideas-the-globe. It's like a "flow bump" for the reader. I can get an accurate one , with illumination for 30 bucks. All TWX codes were officially retired by 1992, but 710 was claimed by the US government for GETS (Government Emergency Telephone Service), probably because it was not something people would normally dial into. @Suboptimal:Continents are real things, though the dividing line between really small continent and really big island is one that has never been clearly defined, largely due to the unlikelihood of having a new landmass pop up that falls somewhere between Australia and Greenland in size.They are also meaningful things, for the same reason that telephone area codes and postal zip codes are meaningful. Every ZIP Code corresponds with a specific geographic location, even if its exclusive to a PO Box that may not physically exist. Several lakes are also included and the Caspian Sea appears particularly effective, taking advantage of the gaps for proper shaping. ;-), Amazing set, looks fantastic. Local post offices will have one of those assigned to them, so 90210 is the post office for Beverly Hills.The +4 that nobody really even pays attention to anymore (the automated sorting system is better at figuring that out than we humans proved to be) are geographically defined. After all, Europe really is very small, and Id far rather it be depicted accurately than have it be inflated in size as per historic maps, with all the associated self-importance.From a practical perspective, I think the quarter circle 1x1 tile above Spain could simply be rotated to be depict France, with the point representing Brittany. "The map is not the territory. "You wait until someone has to decide whether or not Pluto gets a spot on the inevitable model of the solar system! The extra two digits that we never see (but which are encoded into the barcode printed on every envelope during sorting) correspond with a physical location at that address, so a substitute carrier doesnt have to hunt around the entire building for a mailbox.Most 5-digit numbers are assigned to local post offices. @Gabriel_Voyager said:"For me is horrible, the first attribute of a globe must be the realism of the earth representation.Europe not only "presents inevitable issues" but is totally unrealistic, France is missing, totally, Iberian peninsula is rappresented as an isle, becuse France is missing, and is also stretched.Italy also is missing as not recognizable.For a globe of a fantasy planet is very beautiful, for a globe of earth is a total failure. @lippidp:Those are knots. It looks like an interesting build, but not a great display piece. But the more I think about it, I think I will buy it so I can modify it to represent Land of Ooo . The Navy has ships that travel the oceans for months at a time, get sent all over the world, and need mail to be delivered in a timely manner. Currently, there is only one known phone number on that area code, which requires a 12-digit passcode to access. Then the UP split off, then the western half got split N/S, and finally 616 got reduced to just the small area encompassing Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, and Holland.Geographically, most of the US consists of places that are served by a single area code. @Suboptimal:The page timed out. PO Boxes have +4 that corresponds to their PO Box number, so each ZIP Code has a maximum of 10k PO Boxes that it can serve. Really like the updates to the reviews.This looks like a fun build, definitely on my wishlist. I really like it, even if the price means that it will be a delayed purchase at some point (probably).I think the Australia/Australasia thing was ultimately determined by the far smaller font size that would have been required for the longer word.Re Europe, I think its a little short-sighted to complain about the depiction. If you want a 212 number in Manhattan, you will generally have to buy it from the previous assigned user. 
"Not how I was taught, Oceania was a region not a continent, but people keep changing things looking at you Pluto ! I still dont understand why this is even a LEGO set. sunflowers and some star wars sets availableT. Im not sure why you listed that one.Regardless, barring 867 (which _is_ a true area code), I would consider everything on your list to be designated exceptions rather than disproof. However, details are applied around the equator and a Technic frame is placed inside, before assembling the bigger external sections. This is a LEGO model, you kinda have to expect it to look the way it does. @sklamb:Yeah, extending the base so its large enough to include Pluto (with a sign that says Pluto: Definitely a Planet) probably would break the bank. Thanks for the review! The designer has neatly integrated 2x3 and 2x4 tiles on alternating sections, thereby leaving only narrow gaps upon completion. None of them start with 1, because thats how you dial out of your area code (1+) or country (11+). Most panels include landmasses or other decoration, assembled using various plates, wedge plates and tiles. Of course I would always want it to be cheaper but I wasn't expecting it to be a cheap set. I am surprised by the somewhat negative response to the geography. I have seen Australia constitute a part referred to as "Oceania" . I'm glad this has nice colors and isn't colored like 31203 World Map. This ticks all those boxes for me. Regarding the continent Down Under: I can't see the word "Oceania" without thinking of 1984. $199.99 is madness. The last two identify where to deliver at that address. Like, no sh*t dude, I know my home when I see it!
Since the geography most of your readers learned originated in Europe, of course they ignored the thousands of miles of mountains that sorta divide Europe from Asia (which, to be fair, were a fairly significant barrier in the days before air travel), but all of the SW Pacific got ignored in favor of the only large landmass they could find.We have a similar geographic goof where I live. Authentic shaping continues around the whole planet, including the Americas. And include glue, as apparently no one is ever taking expensive 18+ sets apart.Or they could have tiled it over entirely and includes enough stickers to cover it all!Or they could have made a globe from the future, when global warming has submerged most of the land and it's all just blue. But at least the quality is also there, they didn't really cut any corners like they too often do.I did however also watch the review by Tiago, and when he puts all of the segments next to each other I can't help but feel this will be a somewhat tedious building experience. @Huw said:"As someone mentioned in the comments to the press release, the continent that encompasses Australia and surrounding islands has not been named correctly, which is an unfortunate mistake. Awesome review! First two of 90 narrows it down to California. Using Australia for the continent here seems to fit, and seems chosen to work within the context of the tile size & typography used as much as anything.The wheels used inside for the rotational mass seem a bit odd. Oceania/Austalasia includes them (and neighbouring islands) "After all, we have 'Europe' even though it is geographically attached to 'Asia'. Official communications with diplomatic embassies are routed through a Washington DC ZIP Code, with a +4 that corresponds to the specific diplomatic pouch assigned to that embassy. As someone mentioned in the comments to the press release, the continent that encompasses Australia and surrounding islands has not been named correctly, which is an unfortunate mistake. "Australia is in fact the official name of the continent; other terms such as Australasia or Oceana describe regions on Earth but are not the name of the geographic/ tectonic continent. just put a bunch of https://brickset.com/parts/design-35470 to cover all the gaps and make it appear like cloud cover! The strict geographical definition is a large (not specifically defined) continuous landmass, its continental shelf, and any islands present on that shelf. Otherwise it would stop spinning with the Pacific Ocean showing every time (and the heavier European side facing down). DSII, too, if someone can figure out how to cheat around the giant gaps where the frame would need to go. Can't wait to build a Dreath Star with this technique!Also, does the "The Earth" plaque seem entirely redundant to anyone else? 
It has only been in the last few decades that the increase in US phone numbers has forced the telephone system to have some overlaid area codes, meaning that it is now necessary where I live to dial the area code even for a local phone call. Definitely dinosaurs.
Where we sometimes still see a 9-digit ZIP+4, they use an 11-digit code. The shape of the base also provides impressive stability, although the transition between the base and the frame appears awkward in certain areas. @Huw said:"As someone mentioned in the comments to the press release, the continent that encompasses Australia and surrounding islands has not been named correctly, which is an unfortunate mistake. If you have a lot to tell us, use this contact form. I feel this more closely matches the natural use of language. They may not appear on any map that youre likely to see (unless youre a postal worker), but regardless of what person (real or fictional) you address it to, the ZIP Code is going to determine where it ends up.For the Area Codes, 18 of the 24 numbers you listed are in a format where the second and third digits are the same (800, 888, etc). The set looks better and feels more robust than the original Idea proposition. @skadebo said:"Reading these comments feels like folks don't understand what Lego is. I learned in much of Latin America there is no distinction between North and South America, only one American continent and they were convinced that USA residents trying to have a North and South America difference was our pride and hubris trying to create our own continent. As long as your audience understand where in the world you are talking about, the exact name chosen does not matter much. Meanwhile, ZIP codes continue to signify specific areas, and can appear on maps along with city, county, and state lines. I presume that's their official stance. Thanks for the great review. @capnrex101 If only there was a photo with a Porg or some other animal so I could get a better sense of scale lol. The force required to click the last section in place when you can't get your hand inside to press from the other side would risk smashing the whole sphere to bits! "In the Idea Submission Europe was better represented, in the official relese is a mess. It has only been in the last few decades that the increase in US phone numbers has forced the telephone system to have some overlaid area codes, meaning that it is now necessary where I live to dial the area code even for a local phone call. Lets pick on arguably the most famous one. 174.99, $199.99 or 199.99 feels quite expensive to me, even though this set contains an impressive total of 2585 pieces. @PurpleDave said:" @Suboptimal:Continents are real things, though the dividing line between really small continent and really big island is one that has never been clearly defined, largely due to the unlikelihood of having a new landmass pop up that falls somewhere between Australia and Greenland in size.They are also meaningful things, for the same reason that telephone area codes and postal zip codes are meaningful. 99.9999999% of it is completely clear. I always rather like it when I see new sets that could be improved. Sets like this can simply not replicate the level of detail needed for an accruate map. Overall interesting, but not something Im planning to make room for. I disagree with two of your "plusses". Still awesome though! Now it's just another household object but made with lego. Only major population centers have overlay plans where two or more area codes served the same territory. Is the " are you going to get it" mini poll at the end of some reviews a thing of the past as I liked it and thought it a nice barometer of interest in a set especially sets like this.Edit. I did not enjoy building 75191, so I don't figure I'll like building that one as well.So I might be getting it someday, but not day one.
Typewriter I was ok with, you know, being in the technology age and all you don't see them that much. @Huw said:"Ok, yes, it seems it's not a mistake, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_ (continent), although I am sure it was not called that when I went to school! Definitely waaaaay too expensive, won't be buying this one. Each sorting facility has a range of 100 5-digit ZIP Codes assigned to it, from xxx00 to xxx99. Phone area codes used to operate by a similar rule, but the passing of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the advent of the mobile phone, and a growing population kinda muddied the waters.When the area code system was first put in place, all phones were rotary dial. They dont ever end in x11 either, because those are reserved for informational assistance. I'm not sure what students are learning these days. Nevertheless, this model integrates an interesting panelled structure, starting with an equatorial ring. Business-only and uninhabited ZIP codes exist but don't generally have corresponding ZCTAs. If you have LEGO news, new images or something else to tell us about, send us a message. Balance it out with another 1x1 round plate added exactly opposite to the interior so you dont throw the entire planet off-kilter and risk snapping the axis every time you spin the globe. @Suboptimal:ZIP Codes are used for delivery of physical mail. I dislike the exposed studs here, especially when compared with the smooth base for 21313 Ship in a Bottle that more closely resembled carved wood. But in many countries, youre expected to include at least one of these in the address when mailing a letter or package, not because any affiliated governing body needs to be involved in the shipment, but because various people will need to know where to forward it so itll arrive at the listed address. And, I really don't like repetition. "The definition of what a Continent is varies a lot and different places have a different number of continents and names depending on the convention and model.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continent"Yes, it's really surprising me how many people in this thread think continents are a real, meaningful thing. Less commonly, the Arabian Peninsula is too. This is a lovely set, but the complete failure of Europe and the horrid price turn me off it. A single set produces an imbalance which will stress the axles. It looks like there will be space for anyone who wants to use tiles to mark places they've visited (admittedly trickier on any areas with a lot of tiles, unless you replace the tile with a plate). The same logic should be applied to Australia. The price is kinda expensive cause there are issues with this set. They were a lot more regular in shape than the average voting district, and much less changeable. Labels identifying the continents and several oceans decorate the globe, formed using 2x4 tiles with rounded ends, but excluding the Southern Ocean. @CapnRex101 If I was building this as a MOC I know that the final stage of construction when you have to complete the sphere would be a nightmare. Somehow I feel this is headed to the point where theres just two continents: Australia and Not-Australia. How can a LEGO one on display ever compete?Anyhow, hope TLG keep innovating to stay healthy and sustain their business so we can keep enjoying LEGO. France also requires improvement, but attaching another piece diagonally beneath the British Isles and above Spain more closely resembles an island than part of Continental Europe to the East. Great review, but @capnrex101- where is your signature animal? More importantly, not all ZIP codes correspond to any area at all.Sources:https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/zctas.html4.23 of https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/technical-documentation/complete-technical-documentation/tiger-geo-line.htmlAlso, 12345, 20252, 88888, and private Presidential ZIP codes, exist. This set is a must-buy for me. If you don't want LEGO versions of real-life objects that's fine but I think it's great that Ideas is getting sets like this made.If you think it's not accurate enough or you've got a better idea for how to represent Europe, then you can easily have a go yourself. I like the format. Seventeen bags, numbered between one and sixteen, are found inside, with the 232-page instruction manual. Realistically, I am not sure how much better it could be.For instance, Italy is certainly too short, but elongating Italy would also mean extending the Balkans. Not 175 fantastic however.Liking the new review pros and cons box @huw thank you :). Employing both techniques is certainly effective and the resulting structure is absolutely rigid.
They are very nicely executed, though. Unless you want to get technical and use Sahul? You could buy a real vintage globe for that kind of money. Great review of a pretty good set!Overall, I love how it looks (despite some inevitable flaws) , and I especially like that it's all prints. "Well, maybe Lego should consider making smaller pieces, like x plates. I know people who have bought sets like these who had never bought Lego before, or very little Lego, so I think they do a great job overall.The scaling issue leading to Europe looking odd aren't too much of an issue for me either. Or the maze. But if you look up any map of area codes, they are clearly blocked out by geographic divisions, hence the area in area code. But that probably won't stop me from buying this. @Huw said:"As someone mentioned in the comments to the press release, the continent that encompasses Australia and surrounding islands has not been named correctly, which is an unfortunate mistake. Some use up that allotment are a geographically confined to the lobby of a post office, while a second ZIP Code will be used to handle local delivery (e.g. "When each syllabus around the world teaches continents to indeed be "real and meaningful", with no indication whatsoever (at least in my case) that the definition varies from place to place let alone that it amounts to nothing, can you really blame anyone but the education system? *shrug*. How do they overcome this? @sklamb said:"When I was younger (not so very much younger, either) Area Codes in the USA were very definitely "areas" just as much as States were; the map was printed in the front of every phone book, making it very easy to decide what area code served a particular area. For me in the USA and I feel that I can speak for all is "Australia", one of the 7 continents. But may steal the plans to build my own Death Star. But many of them might be inside, e.g. Of course it'd have to take hindsight and/or something like this thread for everyone to realize that everything was just made up after all. Happy for those that love it!!! My two cents regarding the Summary box. Or perhaps are you forgetting everything you know to do with Australia to avoid remembering the absolute drubbing we handed out to your cricket team? I agree with Rex about the size issues; yes, some areas are noticeably inaccurate, but thats the price for it being made out of lego. Dialing low numbers took less time, so large populations got preferential treatment when it came time to assign area codes. @PurpleDave:I guess we have a different understanding of what an area is in this context. The system recognized which number you dialed by how long the pulse was. Seems like a very inexpensive set of modifications if one thinks that they could achieve a more accurate design. On display it looks great. The excellent appearance of this model therefore seems beyond doubt, although I do harbour concerns regarding the expensive price of 174.99, $199.99 or 199.99. The set was provided for review by LEGO. That support just bothers the heck out of me. @lost_scotsman:Anyone who excludes Pluto as a planet because it doesnt clear its orbit has never looked at Plutos orbit compared to the solar plane from the side. Can Europe be improved in 21332 The Globe? @MrMonkey said:"Awesome review! To me Australia is the continent alone; Australasia or Oceania is the region including most of what surround Australia (including Australia). The IRS receives so much mail that they have a unique ZIP Code, but that still corresponds with a physical location (IRS headquarters). I think it used to be either 30 or 60 minutes.The rest of this pertains specifically to the US, though Canada is definitely included in the section on area codes.Anyways, if you actually research them, ZIP codes are most definitely areas. What you take as exceptions I take as counterexamples. Oh, well. They are still often used as a proxy for information about your probable socioeconomic status, consumer preferences, etc. That got my argument nowhere in their eyes, since I looked like just another boastful United Statesian (you can't call yourself an American there either or else they'd say it was more boasting)! This, the ship in a bottle and typewriter all feel like they'd make a nice desktop display. "I was concerned about that too, but the angled panels push quite easily into the equatorial band using 2L Technic axles. Doesnt interest me at all. Next year expecting the version for "Flat Earthers". For the record, distinct oceans are also arbitrary nonsense.On a related note, I'm also surprised TLG includedcontinent and ocean name prints, as they are a well-known localization issue. "Australasia was common when I was younger, but thats now a regional definition rather than a continent.
I really like this, I was looking forward to it and am not disappointed. Like, no sh*t dude, I know my home when I see it! @Huw said:"Ok, yes, it seems it's not a mistake, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_ (continent), although I am sure it was not called that when I went to school! The only question is if I wait for a discount or buy it for the full price @Tynansd said:"Nah, not great. "This is begging for a MOC mod to this set. *PS:* Is there a way for me to see my posts from article comments? How many people look at this representation of Europe and recognise it? "You wait until someone has to decide whether or not Pluto gets a spot on the inevitable model of the solar system! Furthermore, this model features an accurate axial tilt of approximately 23 degrees. The various modifications suggested by @PurpleDave suddenly made this set much more appealing to me, but given the price is as much as several other sets I want much more, I'm afraid I still won't be buying it. One side of me wants it because I love globes and LEGO. For that reason I used to buy every CUSOO/IDEAS set released, just out of admiration.But now LEGO has turned AFOLism into a commercial thing I think more and more: that is great for someone else. @Huw said:"As someone mentioned in the comments to the press release, the continent that encompasses Australia and surrounding islands has not been named correctly, which is an unfortunate mistake. 