A world map depicts most or all of Earth's surface but must address the challenges of projection, which distorts the three-dimensional globe when shown in two dimensions. Historically, accurate world maps were limited before the Middle Ages, as much of Earth's coastlines and interiors were unknown. During the European Renaissance, exploration expanded mapping knowledge, significantly improving accuracy by the 18th century. World maps typically highlight either political boundaries or physical features; the latter includes geographical elements like mountains and land use. Specialized maps such as geological maps and choropleth maps reveal subsurface structures or regional data differences through color variations.
Map projections
Further information: Map projection
See also: List of map projections
All world maps are based on one of several map projections, or methods of representing a globe on a plane. All projections distort geographic features, distances, and directions in some way. The various map projections that have been developed provide different ways of balancing accuracy and the unavoidable distortion inherent in making world maps.
Perhaps the best-known projection is the Mercator Projection, originally designed as a nautical chart.
Thematic maps
Further information: Thematic map
A thematic map shows geographical information about one or a few focused subjects. These maps "can portray physical, social, political, cultural, economic, sociological, agricultural, or any other aspects of a city, state, region, nation, or continent".2
Historical maps
Further information: Early world maps
Early world maps cover depictions of the world from the Iron Age to the Age of Discovery and the emergence of modern geography during the early modern period. Old maps provide information about places that were known in past times, as well as the philosophical and cultural basis of the map, which were often much different from modern cartography. Maps are one means by which scientists distribute their ideas and pass them on to future generations.3
See also
- Maps portal
- Geography portal
- World portal
- Wikipedia's clickable world map
- Global Map – a set of digital maps developed by National Geospatial Information Authorities (NGIAs) in the world
- Globe – spherical models of Earth
- International Map of the World – an international project in the 20th century
- List of map projections
- List of world map changes
- Mappa mundi – medieval European maps of the world
- Rhumbline network – navigational aid drawn on maps
- Theorema Egregium – a geometric theorem
- Time zone
Further reading
- Edson, Evelyn (2011). The World Map, 1300–1492: The Persistence of Tradition and Transformation. JHU Press. ISBN 1421404303
- Harvey, P. D. A. (2006). The Hereford world map: medieval world maps and their context. British Library. ISBN 0712347607
References
American Cartographic Association's Committee on Map Projections (1988). Choosing a World Map. Falls Church: American Congress on Surveying and Mapping. pp. 1–2. ↩
Thematic Maps Archived 7 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine Map Collection & Cartographic Information Services Unit. University Library, University of Washington. Accessed 27 December 2009. http://www.lib.washington.edu/maps/MapResources/thematic2.html ↩
"History of maps and cartography". emporia.edu. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2007. http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/map/h_map/h_map.htm ↩