U.S.A. Equal Area Projection Map

A great companion to the Peter's Projection Map of the World, this map of the United States shows Alaska and Puerto Rico are shown in correctional proportional size to the mainland U.S.

A map store owner from Alaska lamented that many middle school students from his state believe Alaska is an island in the South Pacific. How did those students get this perception? Every other USA map shows Alaska not to scale and positioned in the lower left of the map…as an inset map in the open ocean. ODT's Equal Area USA Map is the first time a commercially available desk-top student map has been created which shows Alaska at its true size, and closer to its true position.

ODT's USA map overcomes the bias that shows Texas, rather than Alaska, as the largest state in the union on every other USA map. This USA map is also the only USA map where Puerto Rico is present. The map uses an inset map at the bottom right (also equal area, and to scale with the three main panels), but also represent Puerto Rico's true position by use of the regional inset map.

The reverse side of the map has a series of questions (increasing in complexity) to pique students' interest, and encourage their learning. The first set of questions on the map are geared to grades 3-6. These questions will lead the students to question assumptions about sovereignty, forms of governments, fairness of representation, etc. Additional sets of questions, geared to grades 3-6, 6-9, and 10-adult are available, copyright-free, at www.odt.org Laminated, 22" x 13".