Bias of north-oriented maps?

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#180

From: aloe
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 06:06

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We've heard a number of complaints from Aussies and others that the
orientation of maps with north at the top manifests Eurocentrism. Some have
suggested a racial or economic bias.

When our office draws maps for web pages, we try to use the scrolling to
convey the earth's rotation (as might be seen from the moon). East goes at
the top, so that the viewer will work down the image to arrive at the west.

What are current trends on this subject? We have seen special-purpose maps
oriented in various directions. However, most maps have north directly at
the top, or at least at the top edge.

Is there a best direction to face maps? Is there a methodology for choosing
the drection?

-- Eartha Underall <http://www.rev.net/people/aloe/geography>

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From: aloe@rev.net
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.geograph,ny.nysernet.maps
Subject: Bias of north-oriented maps?
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 06:06:36 GMT
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