Links

Mapping Software
An article, mapping software overview by Latitude Cartography; here
Definitive and easy to use mapping / GIS software for professionals and beginners; MapMaker_5
Open Source GIS software; QGIS
World wide satellite imagery; Google Earth

Serious map data depositories
‍Statistical data of the Nations; Statoids
World place names, GIS data sets: US National Geospacial Intelligence Agency
Interactive maps, GIS datasets, Satellite Imagery: FAO of the United Nations
World GIS data portal; United Nations
World GIS data portal; United States Geological Survey
UK, GIS data from across government organisations; DEFRA Magis

Mapping Software
An article, mapping software overview by Latitude Cartography; PDF
Definitive easy to use mapping / GIS software for professionals and beginners;Map Maker 5
Open Source GIS software; QGIS
World wide satellite imagery; Google Earth

Serious map data depositories
‍Statistical data of the Nations; Statoids
World place names, GIS data sets: US National Geospacial Intelligence Agency
Interactive maps, GIS datasets, Satellite Imagery: FAO of the United Nations
World GIS data portal; United Nations
World GIS data portal; United States Geological Survey
UK, GIS data from across government organisations; DEFRA Magis

Interesting resources for schools
The free version of Map Maker 5 is a good package to use in classrooms.
An excellent and fun YouTube Video about map projections
A Gateway to map history information
Free online versions of "The History of Cartography" (download PDFs)
A fun interactive tuition site; History Matters
A serious online course in Cartography and Visualization