UN General Assembly adopts new map proposal
The United Nations General Assembly recently approved a resolution supporting a new world map that more accurately represents the sizes of the five continents, moving away from the traditional Mercator projection. This projection, developed by the Flemish geographer in 1569, has long been criticized for distorting landmass sizes, especially exaggerating the size of Europe and minimizing Africa.New maps challenge traditional geography
"Lieux de légendes" and "Les bestiaires cartographiques" are two maps created by Julie Garel-Grislin and Cristina Ion as part of the "Cartes mondes" collection by Armand Colin. These maps do not follow traditional geography, which focuses on describing the Earth based on observable reality and physical or social factors. Instead, they explore how the world has been imagined throughout history.Maps reflect ancient and mythical worldviews
The atlases include maps that reflect how the world was imagined in ancient times. For example, a map of Atlantis based on Plato and Diodorus, engraved in Paris around 1775, and a depiction of Eldorado by the Flemish cartographer Jodocus Hondius (1596), which moved the mythical "kingdom of prodigious wealth" from the Andes to Guyana, are featured. The map of Hell signed by Botticelli is noted as one of the first to translate Dante's infernal geography into an actual map.Cultural and historical influences on map design
The atlas of the Arab geographer al-Idrîsî, who worked for King Roger II of Sicily in the 12th century, places the south at the top and the north at the bottom, blending Ptolemaic calculations with Islamic traditions. The maps also reflect the beliefs of their time, such as the kingdom of Prester John, originally thought to be in Mongolia by Marco Polo, but later associated with Ethiopia by the Brabant cartographer Abraham Ortelius in 1579.Maps highlight biodiversity and political allegories
"Les bestiaires cartographiques" presents a view of Africa's biodiversity through an 18th-century map featuring animals like elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and monkeys. It also includes an allegory of China from the 19th century, depicting the country under pressure from the appetites of the Russian bear, the British bulldog, the French frog, and the American eagle.Publication details for the atlases
Les bestiaires cartographiques by Armand Colin has a print run of 2,500 copies, priced at 20.90 €, with 40 pages. ISBN: 9782200645632. Lieux de légende by Armand Colin also has a print run of 2,500 copies, priced at 20.90 €, with 40 pages. ISBN: 9782200645625.
