Concept in Definition ABC

The term 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 information that is very useful for understanding the planet as a whole: its division into two hemispheres, its radius and diameter, land and water surface, 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. Is evolution it 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 preoccupied with spiritual matters. However, the Arab and Mallorcan cartographers of the 13th and 13th centuries made some advances in the mapping. With the discovery of continent and the knowledge of new trade routes 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 XVl century the Flemish cartographer Mercator devised the world map that we know in the present (its fundamental idea is maintained but of course it has been refined throughout the weather).

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 The island of Madagascar seems as big as the United Kingdom when in fact it is twice the size and both Europe and North America should appear more to the fore. 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 advocate a reform of the traditional world map.

Complete map of the world

Photos: iStock - PeopleImages / pop_jop (map)