There are many maps that portray the Earth on flat paper. None of them are perfect, though,
because the Earth is a sphere. Flattening out the land and oceans of Earth introduces errors. Two
scientists think they've figured out the best flat map so far. On February 15, they reported a new
map with the Earth flattened into two pancakes. One shows the Northern Hemisphere and the
other the Southern Hemisphere, with the equator running around the edge.
These two pancakes represent the most exact flat map
of Earth ever made, the scientists said. Unlike other
flat maps, the new circular map doesn't downsize or
supersize certain oceans or landmasses. For instance,
many two-dimensional (2D) maps show Greenland as
about the same size as Africa. Actually, Africa is 14
times larger.
The new map addresses this issue by accurately representing the size and shape of the continents and oceans. It preserves the proportions and maintains the correct size ratio between different regions of the Earth. This is achieved by dividing the Earth into two separate pancakes, allowing for a more accurate depiction of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
By showing the equator running around the edge of the map, the scientists have ensured that the map is centered and balanced. This means that no area is distorted or exaggerated, providing a more truthful representation of the Earth's surface.
While this new map is the most accurate flat representation of the Earth to date, it is important to note that it is still not a perfect representation. Flattening a sphere onto a flat surface will always introduce some level of distortion and inaccuracy. However, this new map is a significant improvement compared to previous attempts and serves as a closer approximation of the Earth's true geography.