Why all world maps are wrong

Summary

This script explores the challenges of map-making, highlighting the inherent distortion in transforming a spherical globe into a flat map. It explains the concept of map projections, with a focus on the Mercator projection's navigational benefits and size inaccuracies. The Gall-Peters projection is presented as an alternative for accurate size representation, though at the cost of shape distortion. The advent of GPS technology has shifted the focus from navigation to aesthetics in map projections, with modern cartographers opting for balanced approaches like the Winkel tripel projection. The script concludes that no single 'right' projection exists, emphasizing the ongoing trade-offs in map-making.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The fundamental challenge of map making is that a sphere cannot be represented on a flat plane without distortion.
• 📏 Since the 1500s, mathematicians have developed algorithms to project the globe onto a flat surface, a process known as 'projection'.
• 📦 Popular rectangular maps often use cylindrical projections, which involve projecting the globe onto a theoretical cylinder and then unrolling it to create a flat map.
• 🔍 The choice of projection affects the appearance of the map, introducing trade-offs in shape, distance, direction, and land area.
• 🧭 The Mercator projection is popular for preserving country shapes and navigational direction but distorts the size of landmasses, especially near the poles.
• 🌍 A comparison of Africa and Greenland on the Mercator map shows significant size distortion, with Greenland appearing much larger than its actual size relative to Africa.
• 📏 The Gall-Peters projection is an equal-area map that accurately represents the size of landmasses but distorts their shapes.
• 🛰️ The advent of satellite-based global positioning systems in the late 1960s reduced the reliance on paper maps for navigation, shifting the focus of map projections to aesthetics and presentation.
• 🗺️ Despite criticism, the Mercator projection is still used by web mapping tools like Google Maps for its ability to preserve shape and angles for close-up views.
• 🌐 Modern cartographers often choose non-rectangular projections that balance size and shape accuracy, such as the Winkel tripel projection adopted by the National Geographic Society.
• 🔄 There is no single 'right' map projection; cartographers and mathematicians have created a variety of projections, each offering a unique perspective on the Earth's geography.

Q & A

Why is it difficult to represent a spherical globe as a flat map without distortion?

The surface of a sphere cannot be represented as a plane without some form of distortion due to the inherent geometric differences between the two shapes.

What is the process used by map makers to translate the globe into a flat representation?

Map makers use a process called projection, which involves projecting the globe's surface onto a theoretical object like a cylinder or other shapes, and then unrolling or flattening that object to create a map.

What are cylindrical projections and how do they work in map making?

Cylindrical projections involve placing a theoretical cylinder over the globe and projecting each point of the sphere onto the cylinder's surface. The cylinder is then unrolled to create a flat, rectangular map.

What are the trade-offs involved in different map projections?

Different map projections come with trade-offs in shape, distance, direction, and land area. Each projection can distort these aspects to varying degrees depending on the method of projection used.

Why was the Mercator projection created and what are its main features?

The Mercator projection was created by Gerardus Mercator in the 16th century for navigation. It preserves direction and shapes of countries, making it useful for ocean navigation with a compass, but distorts the size of landmasses significantly towards the poles.

How does the Mercator projection distort the size of landmasses?

The Mercator projection distorts the size of landmasses by enlarging them closer to the poles. This results in areas like Greenland appearing much larger in comparison to Africa, despite being significantly smaller in reality.

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

The Gall-Peters projection is an equal-area map that accurately represents the size of landmasses but distorts their shapes. Unlike the Mercator projection, it does not preserve direction or shape, making it less suitable for navigation.

How did the advent of satellite technology and GPS change the purpose of map making?

The introduction of satellite technology and GPS systems reduced the need for paper maps for navigation. This shift allowed map projection choices to focus more on aesthetics, design, and presentation rather than navigational accuracy.

Why do some cartographers and web mapping tools still use the Mercator projection despite its distortions?

Some cartographers and web mapping tools like Google Maps continue to use the Mercator projection because it preserves shape and angles, making close-up views of cities more accurate for navigation on the ground.

What is the Winkel tripel projection and why was it adopted by the National Geographic Society?

The Winkel tripel projection is a non-rectangular map projection that provides a balanced representation of both size and shape. The National Geographic Society adopted it in 1998 due to its pleasant balance and reduced distortion compared to other projections.

What is the conclusion about map projections based on the script?

The script concludes that there is no one 'right' map projection. Each projection offers a different perspective on the planet with its own set of trade-offs, and the best way to see what the earth really looks like is to use a globe.