Maps of the world and what it looks like in different countries (7 photos)
As will be seen below, in different countries?—?Russia, Europe, USA, China, Australia, Chile, South Africa?—?world maps are very different. It all depends on what the map author chooses in each of the following three conditions: 1) how to center the map relative to West and East; 2) how to center the map relative to North and South; 3) what projection method to use.
World map for Russia
The vertical axis of the world (centering the West and the East) passes through Moscow. Both America and Australia find themselves on the periphery of the world. The Pacific Ocean is not perceived as a coherent space.
World map for Europe
The vertical axis of the world passes through London. As with the Russian map, here both America and Australia find themselves on the periphery of the world, and the Pacific Ocean is not perceived as an integral space. Additionally, the equator (centering North and South) is shifted toward the bottom half of the map, making Africa, South America, and Australia appear smaller relative to North America and Eurasia than they actually are.
World map for USA
The vertical axis of the world passes through the USA. America turns out to be an “island” washed by the Pacific Ocean from the west and the Atlantic Ocean from the east. As in the European map, the equator is shifted to the lower half of the map, which makes the size of North America and Eurasia much larger in relation to the sizes of South America, Africa and Australia than it actually is. In addition, for an American, the perception of Russia, India and China becomes more complicated: for an American, these countries are present twice? - in the west and in the east.
World map for China
On its map, China is located on the western coast of the Pacific Ocean. All continents have access to this ocean, except Africa and Europe, which thus find themselves on the periphery of the world.
World map for Australia
There is a general stereotype that what is above dominates, and what is below is in a subordinate position. Australians not only draw the vertical axis of the world through their continent, but also place it on top of all others, turning the map 180 degrees. Like the USA, they find themselves as an island lying between three oceans: the Pacific, Indian and Southern. Antarctica, hidden at the very bottom on all other maps, begins to play an important role.
World map for South Africa
South Africa, like Australia, appears at the top rather than at the bottom of the map, which makes it perceived as a country that dominates all others. South Africa turns out to be a peninsula wedged between two oceans: the Indian and Atlantic. The Pacific region and Russia are moving to the periphery of the world.
World map for Chile
This world map was developed by order of the Military Geographical Institute with the aim of further implementation in school textbooks. Similar to the Australian map, this one is also upside down, giving Chile an immediate dominant position in the world. The Pacific Ocean is in the center of the map, and this is directly related to the stated policy of modern Chile, which wants to become one of the important business centers in the Pacific region. In this regard, Chile is somewhat similar to China. In the same way, Africa and Europe find themselves on the periphery of the world.
