- #1
pixel01
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In all map, we always see the north on top, why's that? when was this way first used? Anybody know?
Thanks
Thanks
Why the map get this direction as we see today?
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the historical and conceptual reasons for the orientation of maps, specifically why north is typically placed at the top. Participants explore various theories, historical practices, and implications of different map orientations.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Historical
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions why north is always at the top of maps and seeks historical context.
- Another suggests that the North Star serves as a stable orientation point, implying a natural inclination to place north at the top.
- Some participants note that historically, maps were sometimes oriented with east at the top, referencing specific historical map types.
- A participant proposes that the Mercator projection's requirements may influence the north-up orientation, especially for northern hemisphere navigation.
- There is a suggestion that the prevalence of northern hemisphere inhabitants and compass functionality contribute to the intuitive nature of having north at the top.
- Concerns are raised about the distortions in the Mercator projection, particularly at the map's edges, when considering alternative orientations.
- One participant argues that for navigational purposes in the 1600s, the stretching of landmasses on maps would have been significant for European navigators.
- Another participant emphasizes that the Mercator projection preserves angles, which is crucial for navigation, regardless of the map's orientation.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the reasons for map orientation, with no clear consensus on a single explanation. Multiple competing theories and historical practices are presented, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.
Contextual Notes
Some claims rely on historical interpretations and assumptions about map-making practices, while others depend on the technical characteristics of map projections. The discussion does not resolve the implications of these factors.
- #2
Proton Soup
- 223
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my guess is that the North Star is the one orientation point that never moved. looking at it, east would be on your right. but that's just a guess, i have no idea.
- #3
Jimmy Snyder
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Yes, it seems that the most common maps are upside down. However, some maps are printed correctly:
http://flourish.org/upsidedownmap/mcarthur-large.jpg"
http://flourish.org/upsidedownmap/mcarthur-large.jpg"
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- #4
Vanadium 50
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Dearly Missed
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Historically in the West, maps were produced with east on top. See Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T_and_O_map" .
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- #5
Jobrag
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Could it be that Mercator projection requires maps to be orientated North South and if you live in the Northern hemisphere it is easier if the North Pole is at the top of your globe?
- #6
Office_Shredder
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Changing which end is at the top is as easy as turning the map sideways.
Equivalently, turning the globe sideways when you begin the projection.
I assume the north is top thing is a combination of the fact that most of the world lives in the northern hemisphere, and that compasses point north
Equivalently, turning the globe sideways when you begin the projection.
I assume the north is top thing is a combination of the fact that most of the world lives in the northern hemisphere, and that compasses point north
- #7
Jobrag
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On a Mercator projection the bits at the top and bottom of the map are very distorted so turning the globe on its side would cause lots of problems.
- #8
Office_Shredder
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Eh. If it's 1600 and you live in Europe do you really care if China and the North America are stretched out?
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- #9
rootX
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Office_Shredder said:
It reminded me of American world map
:http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/attachments/the-world-is-a-joke/4373d1243693805-american-world-map-472f2713d9a0famerican_world_map16.jpg
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- #10
Topher925
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Its because a compass needle points north (or up) and its more intuitive to human nature that an arrow would point up or forward rather than down.
- #11
Klockan3
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Nah, the compass needle could go either way depending on how you put the magnetization.Topher925 said:
My guess would be that when they discovered that Earth is rotating they thought that it would be proper to put the axis of rotation as the proper up/down and then by arguing "We are of course on the top half of the world!" north went to the top.
- #12
Jobrag
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If it's 1600 and you want to navigate your ship to China or America, then yes it matters quite a lot if China and America are stretched out.
- #13
Office_Shredder
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Well that's not strictly true. The point of mercator projection is that it preserves angles so you still know the right direction to go in.