The Eurocentric Nature of Mental Maps of the World
Date
1999
Authors
Saarinen, Tom
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education
Abstract
Sketch maps of the world, a form of mental map, indicate that our images of the world tend to be Eurocentric. These sketch maps are generally centered in Europe (Saarinen 1988), and the size of Europe is greatly exaggerated (Saarinen et al. 1996). Furthermore, Europe is known in greater detail than any other continent. These conclusions are based on the Parochial Views of the World project, a worldwide study of mental maps of the world. The project was supported by the International Geographical Union and funded by the National Geographic Society.
Description
Keywords
mental maps, eurocentric view
Citation
Saarinen, T. (1999). The Eurocentric nature of mental maps of the world. Research in Geographic Education, 1(2), pp. 136-178.