maps resources

Key question : how maps help to understand the world complexity ?

Most modern-day maps typically show an orientation with north at the top. The discovery ad the use of the compass in the 13th century may have greatly influenced many modern-day maps with north at the top. A compass points to magnetic north, and Europeans, like other cultures long before, noticed that the earth spins on an axis that is relatively pointed at the north star. That idea combined with the concept that when we look up we see the stars, contributed to north being placed up at the top of maps, with words and symbols being placed relative to that viewpoint.

Egocentricity in societies :

An egocentric society is one that places itself in either the center of a depiction of the world, or at the top, see this example below with Australia and China :

The world seen from Australia (downunder projection)

The world seen from China

Different orientations :

Most early maps, before the wide-spread of the compass, placed east at the top. This example below is a map made in 1030 AD.