A depiction of the globe that places the Pacific Ocean at the visual center, rather than the Atlantic, offers a different perspective on continental relationships and oceanic expanse. In these maps, continents like Asia and Oceania take prominence, while Europe and Africa are often relegated to the edges. A common example showcases the Americas on the right side of the map, with Asia and Australia dominating the left.
This alternative cartographic projection challenges Eurocentric views of the world, highlighting the significance of the Pacific region in global trade, geopolitics, and environmental studies. Historically, these maps have been utilized to emphasize the interconnectedness of countries bordering the Pacific Rim and to analyze phenomena such as the Pacific Ring of Fire and trans-Pacific migratory patterns. Shifting the focus away from the Atlantic emphasizes the vastness of the world’s largest ocean and its influence on climate and ecosystems.