Berghaus star projection
The Berghaus Star is one of those maps that immediately raises a question: is this a map or a graphic mark? Its value is that it shows the world as a construction made of cuts, arms, and a deliberate point of view.
The world unfolded like a star
Berghaus begins with a polar perspective and unfolds distant regions into distinctive arms. That gives the map a strong visual identity. It does not pretend to be a neutral rectangle; it immediately shows that the globe has been cut and unfolded in a specific way.
It has strong educational value because it teaches that a world map can be designed around a pole rather than around the equator and Europe. At the same time, the star arms make quick country comparisons difficult, so it is better treated as an exploratory map than an everyday atlas.
Global Cartographic Grid
Distortion Properties
| Property | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| Area | DistortedDistorted (not equal-area), though only moderately |
| Shape | DistortedDistorted, most of all at the outer edges and in the star's points |
| Distances | PartiallyPartially preserved: true from the map center to every point of the northern hemisphere and along the lines from the center to the tips of the points |
| Angles and directions | PartiallyAngles are distorted; directions (azimuths) from the map center are true within the northern hemisphere |
| Continuity | InterruptedInterrupted (the southern hemisphere is cut into five triangular points) |
History & Origin
Designed in 1879 by German cartographer Hermann Berghaus. It shows the central hemisphere in the azimuthal equidistant projection and splits the other half into five triangular points that form a star. It was used for world maps in nineteenth-century atlases, and since 1911 a version of it has been part of the American Association of Geographers (AAG) logo.
Applications
Artistic cartography, logos, and unique polar-centric wall map presentations.
How to read this map
Read it as a globe cut from the pole and unfolded into arms. Each arm is a trade-off between continuity and readability.
- First identify the central point, then look for countries.
- The star arms point to places where world continuity was cut.
- It is better for discussing map construction than for quick area comparisons.
- Compare it with the orthographic globe to see the difference between viewing and unfolding.
What you gain and lose
Berghaus accepts strong interruptions and unusual geometry to create a striking polar map. It gives a memorable visual orientation, but loses everyday readability.
Special displays, cartographic history, and lessons about cutting the globe.
Thematic maps that need calm country comparison.
Not sure this projection fits your map? Answer three questions in the finder →
Want to see it next to another projection? Compare: Berghaus Star vs Mercator →
Can you recognize this projection without the label?
The projection quiz uses graticules and world outlines, so it is a natural next step from this page.
One attempt, the same set for everyone
Size illusion · Build a streak and come back tomorrow for another map.
✦ How do different countries look in this projection?
Analyze shape distortions of 5 countries in this cartographic projection and test them in the sandbox.
Russia clearly shows the effect of polar perspective.
Test on map →
Canada helps show how the north organizes the whole map.
Test on map →
Brazil falls into a different arm, changing distance intuition.
Test on map →
Australia reminds us that the south can pay for a northern center.
Test on map →
Poland is a useful small reference point in Europe.
Test on map →Facts worth remembering
- Berghaus designed this projection in the nineteenth century as a distinctive world layout.
- The star is useful for discussing polar perspective.
- It is a map that deliberately shows its artificiality instead of hiding it.
Keep reading about maps that reshape intuition
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used for decorative, artistic displays and branding (since 1911 a version of it has been part of the American Association of Geographers' logo).
It must not be used for navigation, route planning, or standard education, as landmasses in the Southern Hemisphere are divided by five cuts.
Southern hemisphere countries (like Australia, South Africa, or Brazil) as they are split or heavily bent by the star points.
Countries near the North Pole (like Canada, Russia, and Scandinavian countries) which remain continuous and central.
The central part (the northern hemisphere) is an azimuthal equidistant projection. The southern hemisphere is split into five triangular points; in the polar aspect their meridians are straight lines broken at the equator, and the parallels are circular arcs.