A Different Perspective

A simple change in orientation can lead to a significant shift in perspective.

From Upside Down Maps...

[R]eferring to the earth with words like "up" or "down" or comparing places with words "above" or "below" is flawed, considering that the earth is a spherical body with no reference of up or down. As all maps require orientation for reference, the issue of how to layout the map orientation is as old as maps themselves. As map orientation is completely arbitrary, it is not surprising that they differed throughout time periods and regions.

The convention of North-up is usually attributed to the Egyptian astronomer Ptolemy (90-168 AD). In the middle ages, East was often placed at top. During the age of exploration, European cartographers again followed the north-up convention...perhaps because the North Star was their fixed reference point for navigation, or because they wanted to ensure Europe's claim at the top of the world.

While the orientation of a map might seem harmless, it can have a significant effect on one's perception of the world, and the relative importance of the different place in it.