E-Books →The Power of Projections How Maps Reflect Global Politics and History

Free Download Arthur Jay Klinghoffer, "The Power of Projections: How Maps Reflect Global Politics and History"
English | 2006 | pages: 210 | ISBN: 0275991350 | PDF | 2,7 mb
Why is Europe at the top half of maps and Africa at the bottom? Although we are accustomed to that convention, it is, in fact, a politically motivated, almost entirely subjective way of depicting a ball spinning in space. As The Power of Projections teaches us, maps do not portray reality, only interpretations of it. To begin with, they are two-dimensional projections of a three-dimensional, spherical Earth. Add to that the fact that every map is made for a purpose and its design tends to reflect that purpose. Finally, a map is often a psychological projection of the historical, political, and cultural values of the cartographer―or of the nation, person or organization for which the map was created.