HOW MAPS SHAPE HOW WE SEE THE WORLD

Dahia Alqalbi Nursehag

6 May, 2025

Maps are more than just tools for navigation—they are lenses through which we view the world, shaping our understanding of geography, culture, and even identity. From ancient stone tablets to modern digital maps, the way we map the world influences how we perceive not only places but also the relationships between them. In a sense, maps don’t just show us where things are; they also tell us how to think about those things. How we depict the world shapes our perceptions, our priorities, and, ultimately, our worldview.

We often take maps for granted, relying on them to find directions or plan trips. But maps are deeply subjective and selective. What is included, how it’s shown, and the way it's designed can reveal a lot about the values, biases, and assumptions of the mapmaker. Even something as seemingly objective as a map is, in reality, a representation—a carefully curated version of the world that reflects a particular perspective.

1. Maps as a Reflection of Power

One of the most powerful ways maps shape our perceptions is through the lens of power. The way we draw borders, represent territories, and position countries or continents can reflect political and cultural influences. For instance, the widely used Mercator projection, developed in the 16th century, distorts the size of countries as you move further from the equator. While it’s helpful for navigation, the Mercator projection makes Northern countries like Europe and North America appear much larger than they actually are, while countries in the Southern Hemisphere, like those in Africa and South America, appear disproportionately small.

This distortion subtly reinforces the idea that the North is more important, more powerful, and more influential than the South. As a result, maps can perpetuate historical power imbalances, shaping how we view different parts of the world and their relative significance. This kind of geographical bias can influence everything from international relations to our personal perceptions of global inequality.

Maps can also shape how we view our own country or culture. National maps often emphasize a nation’s dominance or stability, reinforcing a sense of pride and identity. For example, in the United States, schoolchildren are often shown a map with the country at the center, highlighting the notion that the U.S. is the most important or central nation in the world. Similarly, colonial powers in history often used maps to define the extent of their empires, showing vast areas under their control and reinforcing their political might.

2. How Maps Influence Our Sense of Direction and Place

Maps also shape how we relate to our environment. The layout of a map—how we orient ourselves in relation to it—can determine how we understand our position in the world. For example, the tradition of orienting maps with the North at the top might seem like a natural convention, but it’s not universal. Other cultures have oriented maps differently: for instance, ancient Chinese maps often placed the South at the top, reflecting a different cultural perspective.

These choices can affect how we experience space. When North is at the top, it reinforces the idea that this direction is the “correct” or “dominant” orientation, but in places where maps are oriented differently, the sense of direction and dominance shifts. For instance, maps of Antarctica might focus on the South Pole, highlighting its unique geographical position and its significance to scientific exploration, while traditional world maps tend to downplay the South Pole's importance.

Furthermore, topographic maps show us not only where places are but also how they are shaped. They emphasize the terrain, mountains, rivers, and valleys, allowing us to understand the physical environment in a way that affects how we interact with it. A map of a mountainous region, for example, tells us that hiking and exploration are not just possible but essential. Conversely, a map of an urban landscape might highlight roads and public transportation, influencing how we navigate and think about city life.

3. The Impact of Modern Digital Maps

In today’s digital age, interactive maps have transformed the way we experience the world. GPS technology and mapping apps like Google Maps have made it easier to navigate unfamiliar places, providing real-time information that takes into account traffic, construction, and even local events. These digital tools have revolutionized travel, making the world seem smaller and more accessible than ever.

However, these modern maps also come with their own set of implications. For one, they can create an overreliance on technology, leading us to lose a sense of direction or place without digital assistance. While maps once encouraged a deeper engagement with the physical world—reading terrain and landmarks—we now tend to trust the digital map as the authority, without necessarily understanding or engaging with the landscape around us.

Additionally, digital maps often come with algorithms that predict and influence our behavior. For example, ride-sharing apps can change our travel patterns, suggesting the fastest route or the most cost-effective option. This influences how we think about our environment and our choices in it. Maps are no longer just representations of physical space; they’re tools that help shape behavior in real time.

4. The Psychological Effect of Maps on Identity and Belonging

Maps can also have a psychological impact, especially when it comes to identity and a sense of belonging. Seeing your country, city, or neighborhood represented on a map can create a sense of rootedness and pride. A local map can evoke memories of childhood, home, or a community, reinforcing a connection to the place you come from.

In contrast, maps can also highlight separation and displacement. People who are forced to leave their homes due to war, migration, or natural disaster may feel a loss of identity when they no longer recognize the places that once held significance for them. In this way, maps are not just geographic tools—they are also emotional, helping us navigate both our physical and social worlds.

Moreover, the way we represent maps in the media or popular culture can have an influence on how we view borders and nations. Maps are often shown in the context of political discussions, where the boundaries between countries are drawn to highlight conflict or cooperation. These portrayals can influence how we see issues such as nationalism, sovereignty, and global politics, sometimes oversimplifying complex relationships between nations.

5. Maps as Tools for Exploration and Understanding

Despite their power to influence our perceptions, maps can also be tools of discovery and learning. Historically, maps have been used to explore new lands, document the unknown, and make sense of distant territories. For example, early maps drawn during the Age of Exploration were attempts to understand and chart unfamiliar continents and oceans. These maps were as much about curiosity and human ambition as they were about geography.

Today, maps continue to expand our horizons in areas like space exploration, where we map distant planets and galaxies. In a similar way, maps of the ocean floor and underground resources help us understand the physical world beneath us. Maps are still essential tools for scientific research, environmental protection, and disaster response. They provide a deeper understanding of our planet, both its surface and its hidden complexities.

6. The Takeaway: How Maps Shape Our View of the World

Maps are powerful tools for navigation, but they do much more than help us find our way. They shape the way we perceive our world, from the political power structures they reflect to the personal identities they reinforce. Whether they are digital or physical, ancient or modern, maps influence how we understand geography, culture, and society. They are not just representations of space—they are tools that shape our perceptions, influencing everything from political agendas to personal identity.

Next time you look at a map, think about what it’s telling you beyond just the locations of cities and landmarks. Consider how the map is influencing your understanding of the world around you. What choices did the mapmaker make in depicting the world? What biases might be present? By questioning the maps we encounter, we can gain a deeper understanding of how they shape the way we see the world and our place in it.