"Poynter Online":http://poynterextra.org/ has a wonderful "showcase of news graphics(Wonderful Informational Graphics)":http://poynterextra.org/extra/ARTOFEXPLANATION/archive/index.htm. There is some truly wonderful pieces of informational design here. You get good examples of "scale":http://poynterextra.org/extra/ARTOFEXPLANATION/0411_charlotte2.htm in multiple views, "multiple layers of information":http://poynterextra.org/extra/ARTOFEXPLANATION/0417_charlotte3.htm overlapped in a clear, consise manner, realistic scale with "bar charts":http://poynterextra.org/extra/ARTOFEXPLANATION/0411_stern.htm, and one of Tuftes' favorites, "small multiples":http://poynterextra.org/extra/ARTOFEXPLANATION/0404_stpete.htm.
The "bar chart":http://poynterextra.org/extra/%0AARTOFEXPLANATION/0411_stern.htm breaking out of the graphical space into the story to show scale is brilliant I believe. I also love the "side view map":http://poynterextra.org/extra/ARTOFEXPLANATION/0408_elmundo.htm posted along the bottom here. A really nice way to show scale, distance and location. Oh, there is just so much I like here. There isn't a bad graphic. I keep going back and just staring more at these pieces.
( via Ask E.T. forum )