Challenges in the Educational Use of World Map Projections: A Comparison of Curricula and School Atlases in Selected Countries and Korea

Minho Kim

doi:10.22905/kaopqj.2026.60.3.10

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Challenges in the Educational Use of World Map Projections: A Comparison of Curricula and School Atlases in Selected Countries and Korea 세계지도 투영법의 교육적 활용 과제: 해외 주요 국가와 우리나라의 교육과정 및 지도 자료 비교를 중심으로

30 September 2026. pp. 325-335

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Abstract

Because the Earth's surface cannot be mapped onto a plane without distorting area, shape, distance, or direction, each projection carries distinct geometric properties that may shape how the world is perceived. This study examines the educational use of world map projections through a comparative review of the curricula and cartographic materials of major foreign countries and Korea. Unlike in Korea, these countries have treated map projections not as a mere technical choice but as a topic of curricular instruction and, at times, of policy and legislative debate. On this basis, the study delineates the challenges facing map projection education in Korea along academic and institutional dimensions, and argues that meaningful progress toward an education attentive to the social implications of projections requires advancing both in tandem.

Keywords

world map projection

curriculum

cartographic materials

educational use

3차원의 지구 표면을 2차원 평면으로 옮기는 세계지도 투영 과정에서는 면적, 형태, 거리, 방위 가운데 일부에 왜곡이 발생하며, 각 도법에 고유한 기하학적 특성은 세계에 대한 인식에 영향을 미칠 수 있다. 이에 본 연구는 해외 주요 국가와 우리나라의 세계지도 투영법 관련 교육과정 및 지도 자료를 비교·검토함으로써 투영법의 교육적 활용 양상을 고찰하였다. 우리나라와 달리, 해외에서는 투영법을 단순한 기술적 선택이 아닌 교육과정의 학습 주제이자 정책적·법적 논의의 대상으로 다루어 왔다. 이러한 결과를 바탕으로 본 연구는 우리나라 세계지도 투영법 교육의 과제를 학문적 측면과 정책적 측면으로 구분하여 제시하였다. 두 과제의 상호보완적 추진을 통해 세계지도 투영법에 내재한 사회적 함의를 반영한 교육의 실질적인 진전이 이루어질 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

키워드

세계지도 투영법

교육과정, 지도 자료

교육적 활용

사회적 함의

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Association of Professional Geographers
Publisher(Ko) :국토지리학회
Journal Title :국토지리학회지
Journal Title(Ko) :THE GEOGRAPHICAL JOURNAL OF KOREA
Volume : 60
No :3
Pages :325-335
Received Date : 2026-09-10
Revised Date : 2026-09-23
Accepted Date : 2026-09-28
DOI :https://doi.org/10.22905/kaopqj.2026.60.3.10

국토지리학회지 ISSN:1225-3766(Print) THE GEOGRAPHICAL JOURNAL OF KOREA

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