AuthaGraph is an approximately equal-area world map projection invented by Japanese architect Hajime Narukawa[1] in 1999.[2] The map is made by equally dividing a spherical surface into 96 triangles, transferring it to a tetrahedron while maintaining area proportions, and unfolding it in the form of a rectangle: it is a polyhedral map projection. The map substantially preserves sizes and shapes of all continents and oceans while it reduces distortions of their shapes, as inspired by the Dymaxion map. The projection does not have some of the major distortions of the Mercator projection, like the expansion of countries in far northern latitudes, and allows for Antarctica to be displayed accurately and in whole.[3] Triangular world maps are also possible using the same method. The name is derived from "authalic" and "graph".[3]
The method used to construct the projection ensures that the 96 regions of the sphere that are used to define the projection each have the correct area, but the projection does not qualify as equal-area because the method does not control area at infinitesimal scales or even within those regions.
The AuthaGraph world map can be tiled in any direction without visible seams. From this map-tiling, a new world map with triangular, rectangular or a parallelogram's outline can be framed with various regions at its center. This tessellation allows for depicting temporal themes, such as a satellite's long-term movement around the Earth in a continuous line.[4]
In 2011 the AuthaGraph mapping projection was selected by the Japanese National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) as its official mapping tool.[5] In October 2016, the AuthaGraph mapping projection won the 2016 Good Design Grand Award from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion.[6]
On April 16, 2024, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed a law that requires public schools to use only maps based on the Gall–Peters projection, a similar cylindrical equal-area projection, or the AuthaGraph projection, beginning in the 2024–2025 school year.[7][8][9]
- ^ "鳴川肇 – Hajime Narukawa". ist2010.jp. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ Otake, Tomoko (17 July 2011). "The world according to AuthaGraph". The Japan Times. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ a b "AuthaGraph オーサグラフ 世界地図". Archived from the original on 13 December 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ "ICC Online – Archive – 2009 – Open Space 2009 – Works". ntticc.or.jp. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ "The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)". jst.go.jp. Archived from the original on 20 July 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ "World Map Projection [AuthaGraph World Map] – Good Design Grand Award". Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ Wendling, Zach (April 11, 2024). "More than 100 bills sent to Nebraska Gov. Pillen for approval in legislative voting spree". Nebraska Examiner. States Newsroom.
- ^ Legislative Bill 1329, Section 90 (PDF). Nebraska Legislature. 2024. pp. 102–103.
- ^ "LB1329". Nebraska Legislature. Lincoln, Nebraska. April 18, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.