Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface

by HoratioTarr Wed Aug 17, 2016 9:23 pm

The real size of Britain.
Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface 3753694800000578-3745016-The_UK_appears_to_be_fairly_large_on_the_2D_map_However_the_UK_i-a-2_1471445541336

Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface 3753694800000578-3745016-The_UK_appears_to_be_fairly_large_on_the_2D_map_However_the_UK_i-a-2_1471445541336

The real size of Africa

Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface 3753692700000578-3745016-Africa_is_much_larger_that_it_appears_on_the_map_The_US_shown_in-a-33_1471445831431

Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface 3753692700000578-3745016-Africa_is_much_larger_that_it_appears_on_the_map_The_US_shown_in-a-33_1471445831431

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3745016/Our-world-maps-WRONG-Countries-nearer-poles-distorted-appear-bigger-are.html

by Guest Wed Aug 17, 2016 9:27 pm

Was reading about that the other day. Facinating, because when we view the world in our mind's eye, we view it as we have seen on globes, so we have been wrong for so long!

by eddie Wed Aug 17, 2016 9:47 pm

Why have we been shown the wrong map?

by HoratioTarr Wed Aug 17, 2016 9:50 pm

eddie wrote:Why have we been shown the wrong map?

Because the Earth is a sphere, it is impossible to accurately depict its surface on a two dimensional surface - such as a poster, or a book.
This has resulted in world maps taking on a diverse range of shapes, from hearts to cones.

by eddie Wed Aug 17, 2016 9:54 pm

Right. I don't buy it but whatever.

by HoratioTarr Wed Aug 17, 2016 10:03 pm

eddie wrote:Right. I don't buy it but whatever.

Well I guess because the bottom of a sphere is narrower and the middle wider? I dunno. You'd have thought they'd have it right by now though.

by eddie Wed Aug 17, 2016 10:44 pm

HoratioTarr wrote:
eddie wrote:Right. I don't buy it but whatever.

Well I guess because the bottom of a sphere is narrower and the middle wider? I dunno. You'd have thought they'd have it right by now though.

Yeah. You'd think.

by Original Quill Thu Aug 18, 2016 4:49 am

Only a globe will show the earth accurately.

by Original Quill Thu Aug 18, 2016 4:52 am

Here is Britain and Ireland in comparison to, oh say, Texas...

Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface 1427352656349037

Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface 1427352656349037

...which is geographically, only our second largest state.

by 'Wolfie Thu Aug 18, 2016 5:01 am

TEXAS can easily fit within New South Wales, with room left over..

Alaska can be be fitted within Queensland's borders, with a bit of squishing and squashing..

The UK will comfortably fit inside Victoria, if you turn it sideways.

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Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface

Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface

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Re: Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface

Re: Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface

Re: Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface

Re: Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface

Re: Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface

Re: Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface

Re: Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface

Re: Our world maps are WRONG: Countries near the poles are distorted because it is impossible to accurately depict a sphere on a 2D surface