-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Re: [MAPS-L] Can world maps be centered on varying coordinates
Date:   Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:57:59 -0600
From:   Susan Moore <[log in to unmask]>
To:     Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship
<[log in to unmask]>



Bojana,

We are definitely used to seeing world maps with the left margin at W
180 degrees and E 180 degrees. But there's no rule that says a
cartographer has to have the map with the Atlantic Ocean in the center
of the map. So it's entirely possible that the record is correct and the
cartographer used a different center point to more adequately display
what they wanted to get across. The "usual" way of doing a world map
does split the Pacific Ocean in half so if they wanted the Pacific Ocean
whole, they'd have to not do the "usual".

There's some sentiment that the "usual" way of displaying the world
emphasizes a Western bias and there are several interesting articles
about this. It even got mentioned in the television series "The West Wing"!

Susan Moore
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA  50613
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On Fri, Feb 22, 2013 at 10:26 AM, Angie Cope, American Geographical
Society Library, UW Milwaukee <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:

     -------- Original Message --------
     Subject:        Can world maps be centered on varying coordinates
     Date:   Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:21:34 +0000
     From:   Skarich, Bojana <[log in to unmask]
     <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
     To:     [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>'
     <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
     CC:     Marti, Elida <[log in to unmask]
     <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>



     Hi All,

     I’m a newbie map cataloger and I have a question about world maps
     centered on “atypical” coordinates. I have a map:

     Chart of limits of seas and oceans (publ. by Aeronautical Chart and
     Information Center in 1953).

     In a copy record, the left margin longitude is stated as W 90°, and the
     right margin longitude is W 90°. (ocm77050953).

     Can this be right or is this a cataloging error? Wouldn’t you expect a
     world map to have longitudinal coordinates at W 180° degrees and E
180°?
     Or is it the case that a world map can be*centered* in any longitude
     that better serves the cartographer’s purpose?

     Thanks for any feedback you have on this J

     Bojana

     Bojana Skarich

     Non-Print Catalog Librarian

     Michigan State University Libraries

     366 W. Circle Drive

     East Lansing, MI 48824

     517-353-9034 <tel:517-353-9034>

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