Humans live in a world made of symbols. A sign, in this case a map, carries much more than its literal meaning. It is loaded with context, connotation, and even

Humans live in a world made of symbols. A sign, in this case a map, carries much more than its literal meaning. It is loaded with context, connotation, and even myths. Maps are extremely powerful signs because they implicitly claim to organize the physical world. Consider, for example, the reference viewpoint of a map regardless of other features. The first time you see a map centered on another continent makes you realize that your vision of the world, where some parts are peripheral, is relative. Even if that fact is obvious. I don't know exactly what the effects of a change of projection are, but I know they exist.