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Globe vs. Map — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 31, 2023
A "Globe" is a spherical representation of Earth or another celestial body, while a "Map" is a flat, two-dimensional depiction of an area's landmarks or geography.
Globe vs. Map — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Globe and Map

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Key Differences

A "Globe" and a "Map" both serve to represent geographical details, but their formats and utilities diverge. A globe is a three-dimensional, spherical model, often of Earth, that offers a comprehensive view of continents, oceans, and boundaries. In contrast, a map is a flat, two-dimensional representation of specific regions or the whole world, detailing landmarks, routes, or political boundaries.
While globes give an accurate portrayal of land masses and distances at a macro scale, they might not provide the detailed intricacies of smaller regions. Maps, however, can focus on anything from the entirety of the Earth's surface to just a small neighborhood, offering both broader and more specific insights. With maps, zooming into minute details or stepping back for a broader view is feasible.
Using a globe provides an immediate sense of Earth's curvature and spatial relationships between continents and countries. However, because of its spherical shape, one can't see all parts of the globe simultaneously. On the flip side, maps can lay out expansive areas in a single view but might distort sizes or shapes, especially in world maps, due to the challenge of portraying a spherical Earth on a flat surface.
In terms of utility, globes are often used for educational purposes in classrooms or as decorative items. They offer a holistic view of the world but aren't typically utilized for navigation or detailed planning. Maps, conversely, come in myriad types — road maps, topographical maps, political maps — each tailored for specific purposes, from driving directions to understanding geological terrains.

Comparison Chart

Form

Three-dimensional, spherical.
Flat, two-dimensional.
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Coverage

Usually depicts the entire Earth.
Can depict entire world to specific regions.

Detail

Broad details of continents and oceans.
Can provide detailed information, even of small areas.

Distortion

Little to none, maintains accurate proportions.
Can distort sizes/shapes when translating spherical details to flat.

Primary Usage

Educational, decorative, general overview of Earth.
Navigation, detailed planning, specific insights.

Compare with Definitions

Globe

Any spherical object resembling Earth.
He held a snow globe with a miniature town inside.

Map

A graphical representation of an area's landmarks or geography.
She consulted the map before starting her road trip.

Globe

A spherical model of another celestial body.
They displayed a globe of Mars at the astronomy exhibit.

Map

A diagram or collection of data visualizing a relationship.
The scientist created a map of gene interactions.

Globe

A round, ball-like object.
The light fixture was covered by a glass globe.

Map

A guide or representation detailing a specific topic or theme.
The theme park provided a map showing all the attractions.

Globe

A globe is a spherical model of Earth, of some other celestial body, or of the celestial sphere. Globes serve purposes similar to maps, but unlike maps, they do not distort the surface that they portray except to scale it down.

Map

To plan out or arrange the route or method for something.
The team met to map out their strategy.

Globe

The earth
Goods from all over the globe

Map

A map is a symbolic depiction emphasizing relationships between elements of some space, such as objects, regions, or themes. Many maps are static, fixed to paper or some other durable medium, while others are dynamic or interactive.

Globe

A spherical or rounded object
Orange trees clipped into giant globes

Map

A representation, usually on a plane surface, of a region of the earth, intended primarily to provide information about the relative location or nature of features within that region.

Globe

A lightbulb.

Map

A similar representation of a region of the sky or of a celestial object
A map of the constellations of the southern hemisphere.

Globe

Form (something) into a globe
There, in miniature, the world was globed like a fruit

Map

Something that suggests such a representation, as in clarity of representation
A map of the human genome.

Globe

A body with the shape of a sphere, especially a representation of the earth in the form of a hollow ball.

Map

(Mathematics) The correspondence of elements in one set to elements in the same set or another set.

Globe

The earth.

Map

(Slang) The human face.

Globe

A planet.

Map

(Genetics) A genetic map.

Globe

A spherical or bowllike container, especially a glass cover for a light bulb.

Map

To make a map of.

Globe

A sphere emblematic of sovereignty; an orb.

Map

To depict as if on a map
Grief was mapped on his face.

Globe

To assume the shape of or form into a sphere.

Map

To explore or make a survey of (a region) for the purpose of making a map.

Globe

Any spherical (or nearly spherical) object.
The globe of the eye; the globe of a lamp

Map

To plan or delineate, especially in detail; arrange
Mapping out her future.

Globe

The planet Earth.

Map

(Genetics) To locate (a gene or DNA sequence) in a specific region of a chromosome in relation to known genes or DNA sequences.

Globe

A spherical model of Earth or other planet.

Map

(Mathematics) To establish a mapping of (an element or a set).

Globe

A light bulb.

Map

A visual representation of an area, whether real or imaginary, showing the relative positions of places and other features.
A map of Australia, a map of Lilliput

Globe

A circular military formation used in Ancient Rome, corresponding to the modern infantry square.

Map

A graphical or logical representation of any structure or system, showing the positions of or relationships between its components.
A map of the Earth's magnetic field

Globe

A woman's breast.

Map

(mathematics) A function. Category:en:Functions
Let f be a map from \mathbb{R} to \mathbb{R}

Globe

(obsolete) A group.

Map

(entomology) Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genera Araschnia (especially, Araschnia levana) and Cyrestis, having map-like markings on the wings.

Globe

A land snail of the genus Mesodon

Map

The face.

Globe

(intransitive) To become spherical.

Map

An imaginary or fictional area, often predefined and confined, where a game or a session thereof takes place.
I don't want to play this map again!

Globe

(transitive) To make spherical.

Map

(computing) associative array.

Globe

A round or spherical body, solid or hollow; a body whose surface is in every part equidistant from the center; a ball; a sphere.

Map

(transitive) To represent by means of a map.
This large atlas maps the whole world in very great detail.
Figure 3 maps the pressure distribution within the human circulatory system.

Globe

Anything which is nearly spherical or globular in shape; as, the globe of the eye; the globe of a lamp.

Map

(transitive) To create a map of; to examine or survey in order to gather information for a map.
The team is mapping the route of the new railway line.
The space probe is mapping the Earth's gravitational field.
This equipment is designed to map the neurons of the human brain in three dimensions.

Globe

The earth; the terraqueous ball; - usually preceded by the definite article.

Map

To have a direct relationship; to correspond.
This doesn't map to my understanding of how things should work.

Globe

A round model of the world; a spherical representation of the earth or heavens; as, a terrestrial or celestial globe; - called also artificial globe.

Map

To create a direct relationship to; to create a correspondence with.

Globe

A body of troops, or of men or animals, drawn up in a circle; - a military formation used by the Romans, answering to the modern infantry square.
Him roundA globe of fiery seraphim inclosed.

Map

To act as a function on something, taking it to something else.
f maps A to B, mapping every a\in A to f(a)\in B.

Globe

To gather or form into a globe.

Map

To assign a drive letter to a shared folder.

Globe

The 3rd planet from the sun; the planet on which we live;
The Earth moves around the sun
He sailed around the world

Map

A representation of the surface of the earth, or of some portion of it, showing the relative position of the parts represented; - usually on a flat surface. Also, such a representation of the celestial sphere, or of some part of it.

Globe

An object with a spherical shape;
A ball of fire

Map

Anything which represents graphically a succession of events, states, or acts; as, an historical map.
Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn.

Globe

A sphere on which a map (especially of the earth) is represented

Map

To represent by a map; - often with out; as, to survey and map, or map out, a county. Hence, figuratively: To represent or indicate systematically and clearly; to sketch; to plan; as, to map, or map out, a journey; to map out business.
I am near to the place where they should meet, if Pisanio have mapped it truly.

Globe

A spherical representation of Earth.
The globe in the classroom spun on its axis.

Map

A diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)

Globe

The entirety of Earth as a place of human habitation.
News of the event spread across the globe.

Map

A function such that for every element of one set there is a unique element of another set

Map

Make a map of; show or establish the features of details of;
Map the surface of Venus

Map

Explore or survey for the purpose of making a map;
We haven't even begun to map the many galaxies that we know exist

Map

Locate within a specific region of a chromosome in relation to known DNA or gene sequences;
Map the genes

Map

Plan, delineate, or arrange in detail;
Map one's future

Map

Depict as if on a map;
Sorrow was mapped on the mother's face

Map

To establish a mapping (of mathematical elements or sets)

Map

A detailed correlation between two sets or systems.
Computer algorithms can map one set of data onto another.

Common Curiosities

Why can maps distort the shape of countries?

Because it's challenging to represent the curved surface of Earth accurately on a flat surface.

Are globes used for navigation?

Generally no, globes offer broad overviews and aren't practical for detailed navigation.

Are maps always drawn to scale?

Not always, but many maps have a scale to indicate distances.

Can maps be digital?

Yes, many maps are digital and can be accessed via computers or mobile devices.

Is every round object referred to as a globe?

No, while "globe" can refer to ball-like objects, context matters.

Can I see all countries on a globe at once?

No, due to its spherical shape, part of the globe is always obscured from view.

Can maps represent themes other than geography?

Yes, maps can represent data, themes, relationships, and more.

Do all maps have a North arrow?

Not all, but many geographical maps include a North arrow for orientation.

Do all maps show political boundaries?

No, there are various types of maps; some might show terrain, roads, or other features.

Is a globe always about Earth?

Predominantly, but globes can represent other celestial bodies like Mars or the Moon.

Can a globe depict topographical features?

Yes, some globes show mountains, valleys, and other physical features.

Is a snow globe a representation of Earth?

Not necessarily. Snow globes are decorative items and can have various themes inside.

Why are some countries larger on a globe than on some world maps?

Projection methods used in maps can distort sizes. Globes maintain proportions.

How can I tell directions on a map?

Most maps have compass points or a North arrow for guidance.

Why does a globe spin?

It mimics Earth's rotation and allows viewers to see different parts without repositioning the globe.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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