Compact Peters World Atlas.

• Author: Barrett, Wayne M.

HAMMOND WORLD ATLAS CORPORATION 2002, 228 PAGES, $19.95

Your entire worldview will change once you study this unique atlas, the first--at least to our knowledge--to show each country and continent at the same scale (one square centimeter is equal to 6,000 square kilometers). Since all the maps within were created on the Peters Projection--preserving accuracy for every part of the globe--the maps maintain fidelity of area, axis, and position, something never previously achieved, or, as stated inside: "The world in 43 maps at the same scale. Each map shows one-sixtieth of the Earth's surface."

Cartography is a tricky business, especially when there historically has been distortion on two fronts: The world is round and maps are flat, and many maps show industrialized countries depicted on an exaggerated scale. Arno Peters began the correction process in 1973, when he united the three fidelity qualities in a single flat world map.

For this new atlas, Peters has generalized the projection principle upon which his world map was based. Thus, each regional map represents the maximum possible freedom from distortion. The atlas also has realistic 3-D reliefs, satellite imaging that incorporates digital vegetation data showing the current state of world deforestation and desert encroachment, and a locator world map with every regional one for geographic reference.

When viewing the world map on the inside cover and facing page, one is immediately struck by how different the "Peters world" looks. Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and, to some extent, Russia appear all scrunched up, while South America, Africa, India, and Australia seem to be elongated. The funny thing is, the two biggest economic giants of the 21st century--the U.S. and China--look as they always have on standard maps.

The best part of this book, however, is...