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Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2005
From: Robert Murowchick <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: MAPS-L: China's view of itself in the World

Many different map projections are used in publications from China.
We have found in our outreach programs that the impressions conveyed
by the different map projections are a source of fascination for
teachers and students learning about Asia. A comparison of different
maps of China and the Pacific provides a great starting point for
exploring a broad range of discussions on China and its place in the
world, including concepts of "East Asia" vs. "Far East", the
relationship among regional names, Eurocentric  vs. Sinocentric
interests, and historical developments.

Many maps can be found online through Google's Image Search button.
After a very brief search, I was able to find a few links to maps
that nicely contrast the impression one gets of China's place in the
world based on the projection used:

US at the center: http://www2.oakland.edu/dml/programs.cfm

Europe at the center: http://www.ac.aup.fr/a54147/images/world%20map.jpg

Chinese Pacific-centered map:
http://www.sinomaps.com/non-cgi/usr/31/31_124_5.jpg
(note: this page loads very slowly -- go out and get yourself a cup
of coffee while you are waiting).

And for those of you interested in the use of maps in wartime
politics, I have also stumbled across a fascinating map from Time
magazine (1944) that shows the inroads into China being made by the
burrowing "worms" of the Japanese army. Once site that carries this
map is
http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/WW2Pics4/58659.jpg

With best wishes,
Bob Murowchick


--
----------------------------------------------
Dr. Robert E. Murowchick
Research Associate Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology
Director
International Center for East Asian Archaeology and Cultural History (ICEAACH)
Boston University
650 Beacon Street, Room 505
Boston, Massachusetts 02215 USA

Tel. 617/358-8000
Fax  617/358-8008
Email:
Web site: http://www.bu.edu/asianarc
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>MAPS-L ** MAPS-L ** MAPS-L ** MAPS-L ** MAPS-L
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>Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2005
>From: "David J. Bertuca"
>Subject: China's view of itself in the World
>
>hi all;
>
>This recently was asked and I know there are maps such as this but have not
>been able to locate them again. Does anyone have either such a map or a
>cite to where I might find one? I am looking ideally for an image file
>(.jpg, etc.), but paper map or map in an atlas would work too.
>
>Thank you.
>
><<<
>I've really appreciated your help in the past. Let me pose another
>question. My understanding of Chinese civilization is that (since they see
>themselves as at the center of the world) their projection is based on
>China at the hub, not Western Europe as is common with the Robinson or
>Mercator projections. True? More important, do you know of a source that
>has such a map? Do we, in terms of a .jpg format? Let me know if you have
>time. Thanks for your help.
>
><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>
>David J. Bertuca
>[log in to unmask]