July Entry 2 - To what extent does a map represent the world accurately?

 TOK ESSAY

To what extent does a map represent the world accurately?

A map is a tool created by our kind to help us navigate through various terrains. However a map has many interpretations to it. There are many underlying meanings, which we will explore. These meanings may deprive the map of its accuracy of information. There are many different maps for many different purposes. Each map is structured to serve its purpose. There are maps for trade routes, migration routes, train routes, water bodies, etc… Maps can be presented and understood very easily. However the catch is the meaning behind the maps. Whether it is portrayed in symbols, wordings, colors, etc… 

The world has many issues running as of now. Issues related to national things such as, trade, war, etc… Honestly maps can help us in many ways; however what they show is not necessarily accurate most of the time. The person that develops a map is known as a cartographer. They draw their map and design its structure according to statistics, but also according to their thought process. This is the problem with maps. They may appear to be neutral, objective, and straightforward. But that is exactly what they are not. A map is drawn with bias and point of view. Both of these things really throw of the accuracy. Knowingly or unknowingly the cartographer changes the way a person thinks about a map.

When a cartographer draws a map based on only a particular route and therefore gives no focus on the surrounding of the main concept, he is showing bias to the main concept of the map. That therefore brings down the accuracy of the entire map in terms of its surroundings as well.

Now when we talk about point of view, it’s completely different from bias. It is basically ones perspective. How the cartographer visualizes his map to be. This also has a big impact on the accuracy of a map, because everyone would have a different point of view to something. Hence it would vary from cartographer to cartographer. Hence I would like to conclude by saying that I think a map has only a certain level of accuracy and that it may not always be what you might be looking for.