Posted on 02/16/2017 9:29:02 AM PST by C19fan
While some are aware that 2D maps fail to accurately convey the scale of countries and continents on Earth, a mind-boggling new infographic reveals the true extent of this distortion.
Historically, Mercator projection used in 2D cartology was favoured by sailors as it allowed them to keep their course - but this system is flawed. The further away destinations are from the equator the more distorted their size becomes.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Just wish I could find my WHOGIVESAFLYINGRATSASS punch card.
A continent is larger than a country? Wow.
You mean - as we were told in school in the 50s and 60s - Africa the Sleeping Giant, that was someday going to solve all the world’s problems? Meh.
A stunning NEW Development in Human Knowledge!
Actually pretty interesting.
No matter what, attempting to flatten a 3D object into 2D causes issues.
And Africa is having a hard time feeding itself due to corruption. The Chinese seem to be the only ones able to deal with it and start up new AG projects in Africa.
I didn’t click through to the article, but did someone mention to the breathless headline writer that there are these odd things called ‘globes’ that people can see in museums, let alone in libraries, schools, living rooms, etc.?
I remember years ago talking to a FReeper from England who was telling me how (impressively) big Great Britain was....he said, that from the tip in the south to the tip north of Scotland the distance was 610 miles.
I told him that when I travel west on I-10 and cross into Texas from Louisiana there's a sign that says El Paso, 857 miles.
I also told him that when you get to El Paso, you're still in Texas.
Never heard from him again.
Africa is a continent. China is a country.
I can fit 4 Great Britains in Alberta.
Everyone should have a globe representation of Earth, shows the true size of continents and countries. A lot of people don't realize most of Africa is above the equator, with it running through Kenya. Europe looks like a tiny little thing in the far north. Washington is at about the same latitude as Turkey. Much of Europe up above where Canada is.
Russia is the largest country in the world.
It contains Lake Baikal which is the oldest, largest, clearest and deepest fresh water lake in the world.
This is stupid. China is a country. Africa is a continent. Sheesh. Is our public education system really this bad?
New York City as center of the Earth?
2D maps are drawn to show how the world looks from that vantage point. Depending on your vantage point, any continent on the map can increase or decrease in size. So a map that has North America as a central point will show North America being larger than it really is, when compared to other continents.
If they use a map that has Africa as a central point, North America shrinks considerably.
It accurately shows the distance and direction from the center to anywhere on Earth, but there is a price to pay for that.
Folks in the Inner City might want to do that Country Comparison ...
Some folks actually think that they come from a Country called Africa
Wow Blam, ya did it again, I keep adding things on to my Bucket List because of you.
I want to catch a Fish out of Lake Baikal
Keep it up, I may never die, I have too many things left to do!
Thanks again
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