I'm reminded of the King of Siam's map in "The King and I"
Also, I'm told that Australia is very fond of "bottoms-up" maps and globes (can't imagine why [g])
Being a silly American, I always presumed the very US-centric map was presented that way to cut Eurasia into Europe and Asia. But I can see how that could be regarded differently. The traditional Alaska-in-the-left-corner map is no doubt set from a Western Europe POV, putting the seat of the traditional global seafaring empires in the upper-center; perhaps it's coincidence that it benefits the U.S. for the reasons you give.
no subject
Also, I'm told that Australia is very fond of "bottoms-up" maps and globes (can't imagine why [g])
Being a silly American, I always presumed the very US-centric map was presented that way to cut Eurasia into Europe and Asia. But I can see how that could be regarded differently. The traditional Alaska-in-the-left-corner map is no doubt set from a Western Europe POV, putting the seat of the traditional global seafaring empires in the upper-center; perhaps it's coincidence that it benefits the U.S. for the reasons you give.