Cartographie : comment représenter le monde - Le dessous des cartes | ARTE

Recent questions

• How do cultural perspectives influence cartographic representations?

  Cultural perspectives play a significant role in shaping cartographic representations globally. Different cultures may have varying views on what should be emphasized or de-emphasized on maps, leading to diverse interpretations of geographical features. This diversity can be seen in the oldest Chinese planisphere from 1602, which reflects a Chinese-centered view of the world, showcasing how cultural perspectives can influence how maps are created and understood.

• Who established the Mercator projection and what impact did it have on modern cartography?

  The Mercator projection was established by Gerard De Kremer in 1569. This projection had a profound impact on modern cartography by providing a way to accurately navigate the seas using straight lines, making it a valuable tool for navigation. However, the Mercator projection has been criticized for distorting land sizes, particularly near the poles, which has led to the development of alternative projections to address these distortions.

• What are some criticisms of the Mercator projection?

  The Mercator projection has faced criticism for distorting land sizes, particularly near the poles, where areas appear much larger than they actually are. This distortion can lead to misconceptions about the relative sizes of countries and continents, perpetuating a Eurocentric view of the world. As a result, alternative projections, such as the one proposed by Arno Peters, have been suggested to provide a more accurate representation of the Earth's surface.

• How does the Eckert IV projection aim to address biases in past projections?

  The Eckert IV projection aims to balance biases present in past projections by providing a compromise between equal-area and conformal projections. This projection seeks to minimize distortions in both shape and size, offering a more balanced representation of the Earth's surface. However, despite its efforts to address biases, the Eckert IV projection still struggles to accurately reflect current geopolitics due to the complex nature of mapping political boundaries and territories.

• What does the reversal of the top and bottom on maps reveal about cartography?

  Reversing the top and bottom on maps highlights the subjective nature of cartography and the power dynamics involved in mapmaking. This simple change challenges the conventional view of the world and forces individuals to reconsider their preconceived notions about geography. By altering the orientation of maps, this exercise underscores how maps are not objective representations of reality but rather products of human interpretation and cultural influences.