Power of Projections: How Maps Reflect Global Politics and History

Why is Europe at the top half of maps and Africa at the bottom? Although we are accustomed to that convention, it is, in fact, a politically motivated, almost entirely subjective way of depicting a ball spinning in space. As The Power of Projections teaches us, maps do not portray reality, only interpretations of it. To begin with, they are two—dimensional projections of a three—dimensional, spherical Earth. Add to that the fact that every map is made for a purpose and its design tends to r...