outside of north america, how do world maps look like?

[hanzj]

Hello, within the United States, world maps tend to have North America on the upper left of a world map, and Australia towards the lower right. (Something like http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_map/world.gif)

But in other places such as Australia, the Middle East, China, Africa, how do world maps look? Is the layout any different.

Would love to hear from Non-Americans and people in developing nations and just anywhere!

Thank you very much.

[the8thstar]

Most maps I have seen here in France are laid the same as the one you're referring to.

[hanzj]

8thstar, thanks for your post.

[mdsmedia]

In Australia, Australia is generally shown at the bottom middle of the map with Europe upper left, Nth America upper right..etc.

[hanzj]

mdsmedia, thank you. that's interesting! I guess there is no map that everyone in the world would be happy with.

[F.G.]

so, i always kind of figured that that layout was designed to have the london in middle-ish (or maybe this is just sheer egomania). i know you get world maps in china that have europe and africa on the left and the americas on the right (and therefore china in the middle) which also kind of makes sense as it breaks down the atlantic.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kyPhEiYq2tM/SMIq4bOAgDI/AAAAAAAABQs/CnpUQZpdOxM/s400/sdcc+com+chinese+world+map+without+mongolia.gif

[lisati]

so, i always kind of figured that that layout was designed to have the london in middle-ish (or maybe this is just sheer egomania). i know you get world maps in china that have europe and africa on the left and the americas on the right (and therefore china in the middle) which also kind of makes sense as it breaks down the atlantic.

Most of the maps I've seen locally are similar to this, with Australia & NZ somewhere near the middle on the bottom. One notable exception had north and south inverted, so that "Down Under (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_Under)" became "Up Over"

[QIII]

There is a tendency among us arrogant Yanks to not really care what anything else looks like to anyone else. Most Americans probably couldn't identify New Zealand on a map if it were circled in red.

Heck, the US in the center taking up 95% of the map with everything else smashed around the edges would probably seem pretty well proportioned to way too many of us.

[Henry Flower]

i know you get world maps in china that have europe and africa on the left and the americas on the right (and therefore china in the middle) which also kind of makes sense as it breaks down the atlantic.

Same in Vietnam.

[mips]

There is a tendency among us arrogant Yanks to not really care what anything else looks like to anyone else. Most Americans probably couldn't identify New Zealand on a map if it were circled in red.

Heck, the US in the center taking up 95% of the map with everything else smashed around the edges would probably seem pretty well proportioned to way too many of us.

I've seen a few 'American' maps where north and south America are in the centre of the map.

Majority of maps I have seen though have the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) in the centre where Europe & Africa are.

[na5h]

Hello, within the United States, world maps tend to have North America on the upper left of a world map, and Australia towards the lower right. (Something like http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_map/world.gif)


Yup, that's what the world map looks like over here in Finland too. I think that map is pretty common within Europe.

[Erik1984]

It's strange to see Europe on the left side. :p I'm more surprised though that America is not in the middle on American maps.

[spynappels]

I've seen a few 'American' maps where north and south America are in the centre of the map.

Majority of maps I have seen though have the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) in the centre where Europe & Africa are.

+1 to this, most World maps in Europe will have 0° Latitude in the centre of the map, makes it easier to calculate time offsets for timezones. This becomes much more difficult if another line of latitude is centred, (although this is not absolutely true if the 180° latitude line was centred).

[Bandit]

It's strange to see Europe on the left side. :p I'm more surprised though that America is not in the middle on American maps.

I think it has more to do with the Pacific Ocean having the largest gap between continental land masses. But I dont know..

[zombifier25]

There is a tendency among us arrogant Yanks to not really care what anything else looks like to anyone else. Most Americans probably couldn't identify New Zealand on a map if it were circled in red.

Heck, the US in the center taking up 95% of the map with everything else smashed around the edges would probably seem pretty well proportioned to way too many of us.
One of my friends told me that such kind of maps exists and I was really outraged.

Those maps don't exist, if so, then those Yankees apparently can't even draw a map right even if they want to!

[Bandit]

US Common map of the World.. :lolflag:

http://i.infoplease.com/images/musa.gif




@ Haq,
LOL got a huge laugh out of that this morning..

[zombifier25]

Dang I could have sworn I found a really hilarious "World Map According to America" on the web, but I lost its location.

[haqking]

Dang I could have sworn I found a really hilarious "World Map According to America" on the web, but I lost its location.

I can confirm google servers are working LOL ;-)

I found it, but i better not post it due to the CoC


Peace

[mips]

Dang I could have sworn I found a really hilarious "World Map According to America" on the web, but I lost its location.

There are many different funny ones out there.




I found it, but i better not post it due to the CoC


In the pc correct world we live in that would probably best.

[sffvba[e0rt]

In the pc correct world we live in that would probably best.

Don't really care about that as long as which happens on the forum align with the CoC...

@OP - That is the common world map I grew up with too...


404

[rg4w]

I picked up a map in New Zealand which reversed north and south so the Antipodes were on top of the world (though somehow I doubt they use that in public schools, fun nonetheless). :)

[forrestcupp]

No need to make this a "let's bash America" thread. Remember, this thread was started by an American who cared how the rest of the world does things.


I've seen a few 'American' maps where north and south America are in the centre of the map.
Usually those are maps specifically of North and South America, and not maps of the entire world. We're not trying to exclude the rest of the world; we also have maps specifically for Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and everywhere else.

Every world map I've seen in America has the Prime Meridian in the middle. That just makes sense, because there's a lot smaller gap where the Atlantic Ocean is. You want the majority of land masses to be in the middle, not the majority of water masses, unless you're studying the Pacific Rim, which wouldn't really be a world map.

[mips]

Usually those are maps specifically of North and South America, and not maps of the entire world.

I'm specifically referring to world maps.

Example,

http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/world_map_wallpaper2.jpg

[KIAaze]

I agree with forrestcupp's explanation.
Most maps I've seen also had the atlantic ocean in the centre.

A few more interesting maps:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gall%E2%80%93Peters_projection
http://www.flourish.org/upsidedownmap/
http://www.google.com/mars/
http://www.google.com/moon/

[forrestcupp]

I'm specifically referring to world maps.

Example,

I've never seen a map like that, so it's not common in the U.S. That's a pretty stupid world map. Who in their right mind would split a continent when you don't have to?

[Ghil]

It's really more of a projection styling thing. There is a lot of projections used nowadays which radically changes how the world map looks. See here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_map_projections

I really like the Waterman butterfly:

http://www.genekeyes.com/WATERMAN-REVIEW/ODT-biggest-Waterman.jpg

[rg4w]

I really like the Waterman butterfly:

http://www.genekeyes.com/WATERMAN-REVIEW/ODT-biggest-Waterman.jpg
So cool - thanks for that!

Striking similar to the Fuller projection:
http://simonwoodside.com/weblog/images/2005/dymaxion/dymaxion_map.jpg

[Artemis3]

US Common map of the World.. More like these (https://interculturalmeanderings.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/why-americans-view-the-world-as-geography-cartoons-depict/).

[Ghil]

So cool - thanks for that!

Striking similar to the Fuller projection:
http://simonwoodside.com/weblog/images/2005/dymaxion/dymaxion_map.jpg

Yes! both are awesome, and come from the same principle: project the world map on a polyhedron, which makes the continent look contingent; a really big island, instead of completely separate masses. I really love map projections like these. ^_^

[Ceiber Boy]

The world map is set out in reference to the time zones, World time and cordinate systems are referenced to greenwhich in London, hence London is 0 longitude and +0 (GMT) (Greenwhich Mean time) also known as UCT (universal cordinate time). It is therefore a scientific standard.

More info:
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/

America just happens to be on the left hand side!

[Version Dependency]

The standard world map makes sense. The Western Hemisphere is on the left...and the Eastern Hemisphere is on the right. I don't see the problem.

[Henkdroid]

In case anyone was wondering, Greenwich was chosen as 0° because at the time the scientific observatory was the best in the world and most of the world was using maps and information from the observatory. Usually the maps are centred on 0°.

[Ceiber Boy]

in case anyone was wondering, greenwich was chosen as 0° because at the time the scientific observatory was the best in the world and most of the world was using maps and information from the observatory. Usually the maps are centred on 0°.

+1

[thatguruguy]

I'm specifically referring to world maps.

Example,

http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/world_map_wallpaper2.jpg

I've lived in the US my entire life (almost 45 years), and I think this may be the first time I've seen this map.

EDIT: Interestingly enough, despite the fact that this map has been provided as an example of the bias of American map-makers, it comes from an Australian web-site (http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/world_map_travel_road_street_australia_city.htm).

[Bandit]

I've lived in the US my entire life (almost 45 years), and I think this may be the first time I've seen this map.

EDIT: Interestingly enough, despite the fact that this map has been provided as an example of the bias of American map-makers, it comes from an Australian web-site (http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/world_map_travel_road_street_australia_city.htm).

I think.. I have seen that map before. But its been over 25 years ago.. Back when I was in 1st grade or something close..

[Ceiber Boy]

I've lived in the US my entire life (almost 45 years), and I think this may be the first time I've seen this map.

EDIT: Interestingly enough, despite the fact that this map has been provided as an example of the bias of American map-makers, it comes from an Australian web-site (http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/world_map_travel_road_street_australia_city.htm).

This map would be very difficult to work with as the 0 longitude is offset and a major landmass is broken up, all for seemingly no advantage! It just makes it more difficult to understand.

[lisati]

The standard world map makes sense. The Western Hemisphere is on the left...and the Eastern Hemisphere is on the right. I don't see the problem.

One potential problem is that where I live, the so-called "western" hemisphere is actually to the east and the "eastern" hemisphere is to the west. I wish to suggest "use what works" as a possibly useful notion. :D

[mips]

I've lived in the US my entire life (almost 45 years), and I think this may be the first time I've seen this map.

EDIT: Interestingly enough, despite the fact that this map has been provided as an example of the bias of American map-makers, it comes from an Australian web-site (http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/world_map_travel_road_street_australia_city.htm).

Yes, I got it from an Australian site but it's just an example and one of the first that popped up in a google search.



I think.. I have seen that map before. But its been over 25 years ago.. Back when I was in 1st grade or something close..

I've seen similar maps in American books but mostly on tv where you see one stuck up in classroom of a school or some university etc That being said it was a long time ago and I suspect they are no longer a common site. Always use to joke that Americans like being at the centre of things but not to long ago us humans thought we were the centre of the universe and everything else revolved around us/earth :biggrin:

[Bandit]

One potential problem is that where I live, the so-called "western" hemisphere is actually to the east and the "eastern" hemisphere is to the west. I wish to suggest "use what works" as a possibly useful notion. :D

These always seem to make more sense to me. But hell to hang on a wall..

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51o7MQy-cvL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[mips]

These always seem to make more sense to me. But hell to hang on a wall..

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51o7MQy-cvL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I can see my house from here :p

[forrestcupp]

One potential problem is that where I live, the so-called "western" hemisphere is actually to the east and the "eastern" hemisphere is to the west. I wish to suggest "use what works" as a possibly useful notion. :DIf you start heading west, you'll end up going through the western hemisphere. ;)


These always seem to make more sense to me. But hell to hang on a wall..

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51o7MQy-cvL._SL500_AA300_.jpgMy 2 year old little boy just got our globe out the other day and asked me if I could find the earth for him. :)

[forrestcupp]

I've seen similar maps in American books but mostly on tv where you see one stuck up in classroom of a school or some university etc That being said it was a long time ago and I suspect they are no longer a common site. Always use to joke that Americans like being at the centre of things but not to long ago us humans thought we were the centre of the universe and everything else revolved around us/earth :biggrin:

But like we've been saying, that must have been extremely uncommon, since a lot of us people who actually live in the U.S. have never seen anything like that map. I'm sure we could find some crazy stuff in South Africa, too, if we looked hard enough. ;)

[ubuntu27]

This is perhaps related topic. It could be moved to anther thread if wished.

What most interest me about geography is the human perception or classification of lands, specifically continents.

When I was kid in japan, I learned that there are 6 continents. After I moved to a country in South America, they taught me that there are 5 continents.

I was a good student, and Geography was one of my favorite subjects. So I was surprised that my American teachers corrected "my mistake", saying that there are 7 continents. (By that time I forgot that there were "6 continents" according to the Japanese)

That's when I learned that there are different conventions on how many continents there are. But, it makes me wonder how do each country and their institutions choses which model to follow. (What are the reasons for picking one over the other?)



Now I am curious to know where you guys are from, and how many continents there are according to your institutions.


EDIT:

Most South American countries: 5 Continents

*America
*Europa
*Africa
*Asia
*Oceania

http://web.educastur.princast.es/ail/inmersionoviedo/WEBCON1/imagenes/continente.GIF

Japan: 6 Continents

ユーラシア大陸 (Eurasia)
アフリカ大陸 (Africa)
北アメリカ大陸 (North America)
南アメリカ大陸 (South America)
オーストラリア大陸 (Australia)
南極大陸 (Antarctica)

USA: 7 Continents

North America
South America
Europe
Asia
Australia
Africa
Antarctica


On a side note. It seems that the Japanese usually don't consider themselves to be Asians, as when a Japanese visits China or Mongolia, they will mention that they visited Asia for the first time. (I saw this many times on a video of a Japanese artists that are having a tour in China)

[KiwiNZ]

Who cares how a map is done. Fly around the Word and see for yourself. Why is , is, no matter how someone tries to represent it.

[lisati]

Who cares how a map is done.

Agreed.

Apparently some of my Samoan in-laws do care, but beyond mentioning the date line, an explanation would violate the "no religion" rule. :D

[dmizer]

Back in the 90's, politically correct pundits pushed for moving the US away from the center of world maps placed in public schools in the US because they felt that it was offensive to other countries to have the US at the center.

The thing is though, that it makes sense to have your country at (or close to) the center of the world view map. That gives the map viewer a good overall view of the world in relation to their current location. Most countries I've been to have that sort of arrangement.

After all, you wouldn't center your GPS unit on Kansas while driving through California just because Kansas is the center of the US.

[Bandit]

This is perhaps related topic...........

USA: 7 Continents

North America
South America
Europe
Asia
Australia
Africa
Antarctica


I think, but I could be wrong. The current 7 continent teaching is based upon continental tectonic plates more then it is based upon current landmass sticking out of the water.

[haqking]

Every thing is in the same place regardless of what map you use ;)

[t0p]

As far as I can remember, most if not all world maps I've seen are based on the Greenwich Mercator projection (by Flemish geographer and cartographer Gerardus Mercator (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerardus_Mercator). It is Britain-centric . Simple reason: the Greenwich meridian (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich_meridian) is the line from where all time zones are based, and the meridian goes through the Greenwich Observatory near London. Thus international travellers will be able to infer local time, based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich_meridian

While Mercator Projection based maps are good to synchronize clocks by, it not necessarily true to scale: it is a cylindrical map projection: scale is good in central areas, but is less reliable towards the edges - Mercator's map would have us believe that Greenland is almost the same size as the whole of Africa!



Who cares how a map is done. Fly around the Word and see for yourself. Why is , is, no matter how someone tries to represent it.

I disagree. Maps are useful, for instance in this thread, to gauge how one country regards itself and the rest of us.

[mips]

I think, but I could be wrong. The current 7 continent teaching is based upon continental tectonic plates more then it is based upon current landmass sticking out of the water.

No idea but I was taught about 7 continents, finished my schooling at the end of the 80's.

[majabl]

On a side note. It seems that the Japanese usually don't consider themselves to be Asians, as when a Japanese visits China or Mongolia, they will mention that they visited Asia for the first time. (I saw this many times on a video of a Japanese artists that are having a tour in China)

This is island-nation mentality. We say the same here in the UK of Europe. It's not that we don't consider ourselves European, just that the European landmass is viewed a little differently to our own soil.

By the way, I was taught your 7-continent view. The South American one seems odd - why treat North and South America as one continent but not Europe and Asia?

[SemiExpert]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IERS_Reference_Meridian An Englishman, John Harrison, invented the first reliable maritime chronometer, which allowed for the accurate calculation of longitude at sea - hence the prime meridian which passes through the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. It's a simple matter of maritime history.

[haqking]

dont matter what map you use. long and lat and UTM stay the same ;)