World Topographic Map
- Title:
- World Topographic Map
- Alternate Title:
- World Topographic Map
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- Hao Xiaoguang
- Date:
- 2013
- Posted Date:
- 2024-04-25
- ID Number:
- 2428.01
- File Name:
- PJM_2428_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1960 - Present
- Subject:
- Politics & Government
Unusual Projection
Ethnocentrism - Measurement:
- 1080 x 670 on sheet 1180 x 870 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- This striking world map is "the visual representation of China's new global Realpolitik . . . . Chinese territory at the center of the new world order: visually dominating the Asia-Pacific, sidelining the United States, and dwarfing Europe." Brady 2017, 5. The U.S. is not only "upside down" from the traditional forms of world map, but compressed into a narrow area near the top margin. The promotional text for this map urge the viewer to "See the World From Another Perspective." Detailed topographic data from around the world is provided at the left and right of the map.
The driving force behind this map is Hao Xiaoguang, "a brilliant geophysicist from Wuhan" (Brady 4) who is associated with the Institute of Geodesy of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Chinese cartographers have been pursuing new types of map projections since the 1960s, and published a number of papers in the 1980s on the use of polyconic projections for the production of world maps. Yang 2000, 7-8. At an international conference in 2001, Hao presented a paper describing the projection eventually used to produce this world map, the "Generalized Equivalent-Difference Latitude Parallel Polyconic Projection." https://icaci.org/files/documents/ICC_proceedings/ICC2001/icc2001/file/f08034.pdf, accessed November 10, 2019.
This map has been employed since 2004 by China's Oceanic Administration and since 2006 as an official military map of the People's Liberation Army, used in establishing and maintaining the nation's strategic navigation system. This topographic version of the map was first released to the public in 2014. Brady 4-5. The political version of the map (ID #2416) emphasizes national boundaries. It was first published in 2016. These maps are published in large numbers and in an oversized format suitable for classrooms; one version comes with embedded plastic rods at the top and bottom and a string across the top for easy hanging on a single nail or hook.
For related items, see Subject > Unusual Projection.
Cornell University Library is pleased to present this digital collection of Persuasive Maps, the originals of which have been collected and described by the private collector PJ Mode. The descriptive information in the “Collector’s Notes” has been supplied by Mr. Mode and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cornell University. - Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.