The term that we analyze presents a double spelling, world map or world map, and is the image or geographical representation of planet Earth. A world map provides useful global information. On the one hand, it provides an overall image of the continents and nations. Second, this cartographic representation provides useful information to understand the planet as a whole: its division into two hemispheres, its radius and diameter, the land and water surface, the time zones, etc.
Brief history of the world map
In the ancient world, maps were made from the observations of navigators and today satellites provide an accurate image of the Earth. This evolution has been slow and complex. The first world map was made by the Babylonians 2,500 years ago on clay tablets. In the 11th century BC. C Chinese culture also made maps.
In both cases, they were representations to facilitate navigation and presented a limited image of the entire Earth. The Greeks and, more specifically, the geographer Eratosthenes, already provided a more elaborate image of the known world at that time.
Interest in science and geography declined significantly during the Middle Ages, a time when great thinkers were primarily concerned with spiritual matters. However, the Arab and Mallorcan cartographers of the 11th and 11th centuries made some advances in cartography. With the discovery of the American continent and the knowledge of new trade routes, it became necessary to advance in the elaboration of maps. In this context, in the seventeenth century a series of global cartographic documents were produced, the first world maps. At the end of the 17th century, the first modern atlas was printed, the famous Orbis Terrarum by the cartographer Abraham Ortelius.
Mercator world map
In the evolution of the world map as a geographical representation there is a technical aspect of great historical importance: the elaboration of Gerardus Mercator's map. In the last years of the 17th century, the Flemish cartographer Mercator devised the world map that we know today (its fundamental idea remains, but of course it has been refined over time).
The main characteristic of the Mercator map is the fidelity of the shapes of the continents but a disproportion between their sizes. In other words, the dimensions of the world map and the geographical reality of the planet are quite unequal. This distortion has remained to this day and there is some controversy in this regard.
To highlight the controversy, it is worth remembering some of the most relevant inaccuracies: the image of Africa is smaller than it corresponds, the island of Madagascar seems as big as the United Kingdom when in reality it has twice the surface and as much Europe as North America they should appear further north.
The above examples show a reality: our image of the world and its reality do not coincide. For this reason there are a number of cartographers and specialists in geography who defend a reform of the traditional world map.
Complete map of the world
Photos: iStock - PeopleImages / pop_jop (map)
