The AuthaGraph map is the most accurate map you’ll ever see. You probably won’t like it.
Authagraph
You believably do n’t realize it , but virtually every world single-valued function you ’ve ever seen is wrong . And while the fresh AuthaGraph World Map may look unknown , it is in fact the most accurate map you ’ve ever examine .
The world maps we ’re all used to operate off of the Mercator projection , a cartographical proficiency developed by Flemish geographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569 . This imperfect technique give us a mapping that was “ veracious side up , ” neat , and utile for ship navigation ( because it kept longitudes consistent and the angle from any distributor point to the North Pole constant quantity ) — but also one that distorted both the size of many landmasses and the distances between them .
Authagraph
To correct these distorted shape , Tokyo - based designer and artist Hajime Narukawa created the AuthaGraph map over the line of several years using a complex summons that basically amounts to taking the globe ( more accurate than any Mercator single-valued function ) and flatten it out :
Narukawa ’s outgrowth indeed succeed in make a map that no longer shrinks Africa , enlarges Antarctica , or minimizes the sizeableness of the Pacific — and the list goes on .
In recognition of Narukawa ’s succeeder , he ’s now beaten out thousands of other contestants to receive this year ’s Grand Award from Japan ’s Good Design Awards , and his map is featured in textbooks for Nipponese schoolchildren .
Authagraph
“ AuthaGraph faithfully represents all sea [ and ] continents , including the neglected Antarctica , ” accord to the Good Design Awards , and shows “ an advanced precise perspective of our planet . ”
moreover , according to Narukawa , his map mean a lot more than just a close cartographical representation of our planet . Because Earth is now facing down takings like clime alteration and combative territorial sea title , Narukawa believes that the planet need to count at itself in a new light — a vista that perceives the interests of our satellite first and its countries second .
After reading about the authagraph map , check off outwhat maps get wrong about the mankind . Then , dive into33 maps that explain America better than any textbook .
