IBGE launches inverted world map to commemorate Brasil’s BRICS Presidency

By inverting the traditional cartographic logic of continental presentation, the publication seeks to reflect the new global geopolitics shaped by the rise of the Global South

With information from IBGE

The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) has released an inverted world map, reflecting the ideal of strengthened cooperation among Global South countries promoted by BRICS—a group chaired by Brasil this year—and reaffirming the relevance of the South American bloc Mercosur, for which Brasil will assume the rotating presidency in July. In the previous year, IBGE had unveiled a map placing Brasil at the center of the world, marking the country’s presidency of the G20, the forum that brings together the world’s leading economies.

“IBGE’s publication of the new world map was an instant success, sparking an important discussion about Brasil’s place in the emerging global geopolitics shaped by the rise of the Global South. Likewise, the response from cartography researchers and geography experts confirms that IBGE remains on the right path,” said Márcio Pochmann, president of the Institute, in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Most people around the world are accustomed to seeing North America at the top of the map and South America at the bottom. However, this is neither the only possible representation nor the only one documented throughout history. There is no technical reason that cardinal points must be oriented in the conventional directions, meaning the traditional map is no more correct than an inverted one.

The cartographic convention of placing North at the top and East to the right was established by the astronomer Ptolemy and was widely adopted by other cartographers such as Mercator and Waldseemüller. However, there are maps with different orientations, where North is not at the top. This is the case, for example, with medieval maps or maps produced by other cultures.

In modern cartography, inverted representations or the relative dimensions of continents often raise political concerns, particularly among countries in the Southern Hemisphere. Geographer Nicole De Armendi has noted that the orientation of maps “states positions of power, outlines certain global networks, and establishes hierarchical relations among nations and continents.” A well-known example is the 1943 drawing ‘Inverted America’ by Spanish-Uruguayan artist Joaquín Torres García. By placing the South at the top, the work became a symbol for Latin Americans in their efforts to assert visibility and recognition within the global worldview.

The release of the new map, available in both Portuguese and English, is part of a broader set of IBGE initiatives, including the launch of research, statistical indicators, and other information dissemination efforts at national and international events. Among these was the first substantive working meeting for the 4th CELAC-China Forum, held earlier this week at China’s National Convention Center in Beijing. On that occasion, IBGE president Márcio Pochmann presented the new cartographic product as a gift to Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank (NDB), and to the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China.

How to purchase

The new world map is available for purchase in various sizes through the IBGE online store (delivery times may vary) and at the Institute’s physical store in Rio de Janeiro. The IBGE library has launched a 30% discount campaign for customers who buy the map in person at the Rio de Janeiro location, as well as for those who purchase online and choose in-store pickup.