This map shows countries of the world, not by their actual size and shape, but distorted to show the ones which have seen the biggest economic growth.
This is one example of how maps can be used to show information in eye catching and challenging ways. But remember, all maps distort reality, because it is impossible to accurately depict a curved surface on to a flat page
What do you think of this map? Add a comment to let me know!
More details can be found on Mark Easton’s BBC blog at http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markeaston/ , where he has a map of the week.
Aims:
1. To know what is meant by the national grid
2. To locate OS symbols on a map using grid references
3. To give the correct grid references for features on an OS map.
The map is divided into a grid made up of squares 1km by 1km. Every grid square on an OS map is always 1km2.
The lines running across the page, ie from east to west are called Northings
The lines running and down the page, ie from north to south are called Eastings.
Every single square in the British Isles has a unique reference number. Some grid squares show very little:
Click here to find out more about officially the dullest grid square in Britain-it even made it to the QI Show!
world map jigsaw brooches
Originally uploaded by meganprice
How best to depict the world? Probably not this way, although it does help to remind us about plate tectonics! Showing the world on a flat surface is easy, but it distorts reality. On Friday one of my pupils, on discussing the typical Mercator projector, said that she had always thought that the other half of the world was somehow on the reverse, a bit like heads and tails of a coin, I suppose. There’s a real lesson there about how we teach reality. I like the thread on Edward Tufte’s web site where people have posted suggestions about map projections. The best solution is to issue pupils with globes, inflatable a la Michael Palin, perhaps, but a sure way of dispelling many spatial misunderstandings.
