• Geography -> Cartography and topography

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Which map projection is used by the United Nations to represent the world and why?

Deshawn McGunley

The United Nations uses the Robinson map projection to represent the world. The Robinson projection is a compromise map projection that attempts to balance some of the distortions caused by other map projections. It was invented by Arthur H. Robinson in 1963, and it quickly became the preferred projection for world maps.

One of the reasons why the United Nations uses the Robinson projection is that it provides a good balance between the distortion of size and shape. Most map projections inevitably distort either the size or the shape of the land masses and oceans, depending on the projection's purpose. Some projections, like the Mercator, greatly distort the size of the polar regions, making them seem much larger than they actually are. Other projections, like the Peters, are designed to avoid size distortions but end up distorting the shape of the land masses. The Robinson projection tries to overcome these issues by distorting neither size nor shape too much.

Another reason why the Robinson projection is used by the United Nations is that it provides a good representation of the entire world and its features. It accurately represents all the continents, the oceans and the various bodies of water. It also maintains the correct latitude and longitude lines, which makes it easier to accurately measure distances and create navigation charts.

The Robinson projection is also a visually appealing map. Unlike some other projections, it does not force an awkward angular shape onto the world, and it tends to be more aesthetically pleasing. Given the power of visual representations to shape our understanding and interpretation of the world, this is an important consideration.

Finally, the Robinson projection has been widely adopted by other organizations, including the National Geographic Society, because it is a balanced and appealing map. This makes it easier for individuals and groups to understand and compare geographic data from various sources. It is also important to note that the Robinson projection is not the only projection used by organizations to represent the world, and it is not perfect. However, its balance of distortions, accuracy, and aesthetics make it an ideal choice for many different purposes.

In conclusion, the United Nations uses the Robinson map projection to represent the world because it is a compromise map projection that balances both size and shape distortions. It provides an accurate representation of the entire world and its features, while maintaining the correct latitude and longitude lines. It is also visually appealing and has been widely adopted by other organizations. While no map projection is perfect, the Robinson projection is a good choice for many purposes.