MEDIUM: Map, Poster
DESCRIPTION:
This map presents the Israel-Palestine region from a neutral, terrain-focused perspective, designed to advocate for peace through a non-political and non-religious lens. Rendered with shaded relief and elevation data, it highlights the region’s striking geography—mountains, valleys, deserts, and rivers—without the distraction of heavy country borders or politicized labels. By using an oblique perspective and naturalistic styling, the map invites viewers to appreciate the shared landscape and interconnectedness of communities. It aims to evoke reflection, unity, and reverence for the land itself, long described as “land flowing with milk and honey”.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT:
As a cartographer, I believe maps are not just tools for navigation—they are narratives of space, culture, and meaning. This map was created in response to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine, which has too often been visualized through divisive boundaries and politicized geography. Instead, I sought to shift the conversation from division to connection, offering an invitation: to view the region through the lens of shared topography and natural beauty. The map projection was deliberately selected. It reveals the land’s west-to-east elevation rise in an intuitive way, while subtly retaining a north-south spatial orientation familiar across cultures. This choice also positions the Gaza Strip—so often the subject of focus—at the center of the map, inviting viewers to see it not as an isolated flashpoint, but as part of a continuous and shared terrain. This is not a map of power—it is a map of place and those who live within it. It does not argue or persuade; it offers space—to look, to feel, and perhaps to imagine peace. Visit CartoGuophy.com to discover more about this map and view other works by Atlas Guo.
OTHER INFORMATION:
A printed version of this map was displayed in the Map Gallery of North American Cartographic Information Society 2024 Annual Conference, and Wisconsin Land Information Association 2025 Annual Conference.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this submission to the Digital Salon are those of the creator and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Digital Salon, DesignLab, or UW-Madison.