The Hobo-Dyer Projection (HDP) takes its place among important map
projections. This new HDP map belongs to the family of Cylindrical Equal Area
projections in which the latitude and longitude lines form a rectangular
grid. Other projections in this family include the Lambert, Gall, Behrmann,
Edwards and Peters. The HDP retains qualities of the other equal area
cylindrical projections, but is more visually satisfying. Commissioned by
ODT, Inc., created by British cartographer, Mick Dyer, the map was derived by
modifying the 1910 Behrmann projection.
Behrmann placed the standard parallels at 30° north and south.
On the HDP map, the "cylinder" is assumed to wrap round the globe and cut
through it at 37½° north and south. In order to preserve the equal
area property the shapes of the landmasses become progressively flattened
towards the poles, but shapes between 45° north and south are well
preserved.
At the present time, the HDP is available only in an 11" x 17" placemat size.
Due to the unusual proportions of the new map, ODT also printed eight other
map projections for comparison purposes on the border of the map. The reverse
side of the HDP map shows the exact same projection, but with two somewhat
startling changes: south is on top; and Australia is shown in the middle of
the map. How does such a simple thing as reversing the poles or changing the
"centering" influence your impression of what's important?
Fun activities.
Included on this innovative map are comparison panels as thumbnails across
the bottom (or top) of the map. Side A has Africa at the center and North at
the top. Comparison panels on the bottom include: Buckminster Fuller's
Dymaxion World Map (new satellite composite version - 2002), The Eckert II
projection, Leonardo da Vinci's mappamundi (from 1514, the first map of its
kind and one of the first world maps that used the name "America"), and a
Population Cartogram. Side B is the exact same map with the poles reversed
(South on top) and Australia-centered. The comparison panels on the top of
side B include:
Van Sant's GeoSphere (on a Robinson projection), Guelke's Toronto-centered
projection, the Oxford Globe and Goode's Homolosine.
This new product has a built-in quiz. It asks: Which of the images on both
sides of this placemat are "area accurate"? Answer
Price is $8.95 (plus flat rate of $5.50 Shipping & Handling).
Below are the panels on the map that explain other alternative projections.
Click on the picture for a larger image.
Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion World Map
The visionary Fuller designed this map to help us recognize that "we're all
astronauts aboard a little spaceship called Earth." This view of the Earth
minimizes the distortion of size and shape. Directions and spatial
relationships, however, tend to be obscure.Link to Buckminster Fuller Institute
The Eckert II projection
One of a series of six projections developed by Max Eckert (1868-1938). This
is an equal-area map with poles and central meridians at half the length of
the equator. The meridians are broken straight lines. Image courtesy of
U.S.G.S.
Leonardo da Vinci's mappamundi
This "octant" map is dated approximately 1514. The sphere of the globe was
divided into eight equilateral spherical triangles, each section bounded by
the equator and two meridians 90% apart.
This was the first map of its kind.
It is noteworthy for at least two other reasons: (1) it was one of the first
world maps that used the name "America," and (2) it was one of the first
world maps to lay down a south-polar continent. Some critics believe the map
was not really a work by Leonardo himself,
since the accuracy and mastery in drawing are not reflective of da Vinci's
usual high standards. It was more likely done by some trustworthy clerk or
copyist under da Vinci's employment.
Population cartogram
Every map gives up some aspect of reality to present another. On this map
each country is shown proportional to its population. The map gives up
territory to present people. You may not be able to make out the little
squares, but they are easy enough to see on the original poster. Each square
represents a million people.
Order poster now.
Looking at the world this way is a revelation. From
the perspective of population, China is the biggest country in the world!
India is not far behind. For a real shock, compare Indonesia with the United
States. Compare Mexico with Canada. Africa is not as big as the news
sometimes makes it. Asia has half the people in the world!
Van Sant's GeoSphere
The Van Sant GeoSphere image was the first cloud-free satellite map of earth.
It is presented here on a Robinson projection. The GeoSphere map is the
largest selling single image of the world. It is used by numerous US federal
agencies and is licensed by photo libraries worldwide. For more information
about the GeoSphere Project click here.
Guelke's Toronto-centered projection
Leonard Guelke created this projection to tell you exactly how far it was
from anywhere on Earth to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Draw a straight line on
this map from Toronto to anywhere in the world and, with some simple math,
you've got the real-world distance. In order to achieve this benefit, you
need to sacrifice some shapes and sizes.
For more information click here
Or buy a copy of SEEING THROUGH MAPS
from here.
The Oxford Globe image of the earth from space
Oxford Cartographers made the Oxford Globe in 1992 in response to growing
interest in world environmental issues. It is a highly detailed relief model
of the earth with colors depicting vegetation and desert, compiled from a
two-year sequence of satellite imagery. This overcomes the seasonal bias you
see from snapshot satellite images which can show dramatically different
scenes from summer to winter. Available (also with names and boundaries
added) from Oxford Cartographers.
Goode's Homolosine
On the
Van Sant image the world appears smooth and whole.
On this image by John Paul Goode, the world seems cut into sections. Which
seems more realistic to you? The Van Sant image we used is represented on a
Robinson projection, while the Goode Homolosine is an equal-area projection.
Compare the portrayal of shapes and sizes. What does the Van Sant give up for
the sense of continuity? What does the Goode gain by giving up the sense of
continuity?
