Reversed map?qsrc=3044

A reversed map

The Blue Marble photograph in its original orientation

A reversed map, also known as an Upside-Down map or South-Up map, is a map where south is up, north is down, east is left and west is right. Thus the Southern Hemisphere at the top of the map instead of the bottom. These maps are just as accurate as traditionally oriented maps, because the position of North at the top of maps is arbitrary. Such maps have been made in several cultures and time periods. The convention that North is at the top (and East at the right) on most modern maps was established by the astronomer Ptolemy^[1] and was widely adopted by other cartographers.

In modern times, reversed maps are made as a learning device or to illustrate Northern Hemisphere bias. Different from simply turning a north-up map upside down, a reversed map has the text oriented to be read with south up. Uruguayan constructivist artist Joaquín Torres García created several works depicting a map of South America with the southern point at the top.

An example of the "north-up" convention in use is related to the famous "Blue Marble" photograph of the Earth, taken from on board Apollo 17. The image was originally oriented with the south pole at the top, with the island of Madagascar visible just left of center, and the continent of Africa at its right. However, the image was turned upside-down to fit the traditional view.^[2]

Reversed maps often have Indonesia placed in the center while Europe and the Americas are placed to the sides, although there are reversed maps centered on the Prime Meridian^[3]. Ordinary north-up maps in East Asia also often have the Americas on the right, showing the Pacific ocean whole while cutting through the Atlantic ocean.

There are many other maps with non-standard orientation, such as medieval T and O maps, polar maps, and Dymaxion maps.

See also

Atlas portal

• Map projection
• North-South divide

References

External links

• A Collection of World Maps Viewed from a Reversed Perspective
• Google Answers
• Northern Gesture
• On Maps, why is north always up?
• The World Turned Upside Down by Katy Kramer