Why every world map is wrong - Kayla Wolf

Summary

This script explores the inherent inaccuracies of flat world maps due to the Earth's spherical nature. It traces the evolution from arbitrary placements to Ptolemy's grid system and Mercator's navigation-friendly distortions. Despite attempts like the Goode Homolosine and Dymaxion projections, no perfect map exists. The AuthaGraph World Map comes close to accuracy, yet the Mercator projection's influence persists, raising questions about representation and perception in cartography.

Takeaways

• 🌍 All world maps are inherently inaccurate due to the impossibility of perfectly representing a spherical Earth on a flat surface.
• 📏 The grid system with 180 lines of latitude and 360 lines of longitude was established by Ptolemy in 150 AD for more accurate mapping.
• 🧭 Before the Mercator projection, navigation was challenging due to the need to constantly change direction when following curved routes on flat maps.
• 🛣️ Gerardus Mercator's 1569 map made navigation easier by straightening curved routes, but it distorted the size of land masses, especially near the poles.
• 🌐 The Goode Homolosine Projection from 1925 aimed to minimize distortion for the entire world, offering both land and ocean-oriented views.
• 🌐 The Dymaxion Projection by Buckminster Fuller in the 1940s presented a visually pleasing map with no visible distortions but lacked geographical clarity for practical use.
• 🗺️ The AuthaGraph World Map, designed by Hajime Narukawa in 1999, offers a more accurate representation of continents and oceans in proportion and a rectangular shape.
• 🔍 Despite advancements, the Mercator projection remains widely used for its navigational utility and readability.
• 🌈 Arno Peters' critique of the Mercator projection highlighted its reinforcement of a Eurocentric worldview by enlarging countries further from the equator.
• 🌍 The Gall-Peters Projection attempted to counter the Eurocentric bias but still resulted in stretched continents.
• 🏫 Maps play a crucial role in education and shape our perception of the world, with design choices influencing how we view different regions.

Q & A

Why are all world maps considered inaccurate?

All world maps are considered inaccurate because it's impossible to represent a spherical planet accurately on a flat surface without some distortion.

What was the first systematic attempt to map the Earth on a grid?

The first systematic attempt to map the Earth on a grid was made by the Greek mathematician and astronomer Ptolemy in 150 AD.

What are the two types of lines used by Ptolemy in his grid system for mapping the Earth?

Ptolemy used 180 lines of latitude and 360 lines of longitude in his grid system for mapping the Earth.

Why did Gerardus Mercator create a new world map in 1569?

Gerardus Mercator created a new world map in 1569 to fix the problem of navigation on flat maps by making curved navigational routes appear straight, allowing for constant bearing travel.

What was the main issue with Mercator's map?

The main issue with Mercator's map was that it distorted land masses and bodies of water, making areas further from the equator appear larger and those closer to the equator appear smaller.

What is the Goode Homolosine Projection and what was its purpose?

The Goode Homolosine Projection, created in 1925, is an interrupted pseudo-cylindrical equal area projection designed to minimize distortion for the entire world.

What is the Dymaxion Projection and who created it?

The Dymaxion Projection was created by American architect Buckminster Fuller in the 1940s. It aimed to present a map with no visibly evident distortions of land masses.

What makes the AuthaGraph World Map unique?

The AuthaGraph World Map, designed by Japanese architect Hajime Narukawa in 1999, is unique because it presents continents and oceans almost completely in proportion on a rectangular layout.

What was Arno Peters' critique of the Mercator projection?

Arno Peters critiqued the Mercator projection for enlarging European and North American countries, which he argued gave white nations a sense of supremacy over non-white nations closer to the equator.

What is the Gall-Peters Projection and how does it differ from the Mercator projection?

The Gall-Peters Projection, adapted by Arno Peters, counteracts the issue of size distortion in the Mercator projection by presenting continents in a more accurate proportion, although it still stretches their shapes.

How do changes in map design affect our perception of the world?

Changes in map design can shift our point of view by altering the way we perceive the size, shape, and relative positions of countries and continents, which in turn can influence our understanding and interpretation of the world.