'''Authagraph''' is an approximately [[Map projection#Equal-area|equal-area]] [[world map]] [[Map projection|projection]] invented by Japanese architect [[Hajime Narukawa]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ist2010.jp/en/narukawa.html|title=鳴川肇 - Hajime Narukawa|work=ist2010.jp|accessdate=297 MarchFebruary 20152019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105203434/http://ist2010.jp/en/narukawa.html|archive-date=2016-11-05 March 2016|dead-url=yes|df=}}</ref> in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.exploraciones.cl/?p=1593%2F|title=A new accurate world « Exploraciones|work=exploraciones.cl|accessdate=29 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402183136/http://www.exploraciones.cl/?p=1593/|archive-date=7 February 2019|dead-url=yes}}</ref> The map is made by equally dividing a spherical surface into 96 triangles, transferring it to a [[tetrahedron]] while maintaining area proportions, and unfolding it onto a rectangle. The map substantially preserves sizes and shapes of all continents and oceans while it reduces distortions of their shapes, as inspired by the [[Dymaxion map]]. The projection does not have some of the major distortions of the [[Mercator projection]], like the expansion of countries in far northern latitudes, and allows for Antarctica to be displayed accurately and in whole.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.authagraph.com/projects/description/【作品解説】記事01/?lang=en|title=AuthaGraph オーサグラフ 世界地図|accessdate=7 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213230718/http://www.authagraph.com/projects/description/【作品解説】記事01/?lang=en|archive-date=7 February 2019|dead-url=no}}</ref> Triangular world maps are also possible using the same method. The name is derived from "[[wikt:authalic|authalic]]" and "graph".<ref name=":0" />
The method used to construct the projection ensures that the 96 regions of the sphere that are used to define the projection each have the correct area, but the projection does not qualify as equal-area because the method does not control area at infinitesimal scales or even within those regions.
The Authagraph world map can be tiled in any direction without visible seams. From this map-tiling, a new world map with [[triangular]], [[rectangular]] or a [[parallelogram]]'s outline can be framed with various regions at its center. This [[tessellation]] allows for depicting temporal themes, such as a satellite's long-term movement around the earth in a continuous line.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntticc.or.jp/Archive/2009/Openspace2009/Works/authagraph.html|title=ICC ONLINE - ARCHIVE - 2009 - Open Space 2009 - Works|work=ntticc.or.jp|accessdate=297 MarchFebruary 20152019}}</ref>
In 2011 the Authagraph mapping projection was selected by the Japanese [[National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation]] (Miraikan) as its official mapping tool.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en/exhibition/tsunagari/authagraph.html|title=The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)|work=jst.go.jp|accessdate=297 MarchFebruary 20152019}}</ref><!-- As of 2015 it is used in official Japanese high school text books.<ref>http://dwl.gov-online.go.jp/video/cao/dl/public_html/gov/pdf/hlj/20120401/26-27.pdf</ref> not what the source says --> In October 2016, the Authagraph mapping projection won the 2016 Good Design Grand Award from the [[Japan Institute of Design Promotion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.g-mark.org/award/describe/44527|title=World Map Projection [ Authagraph World Map ] - Good Design Award|accessdate=17 NovemberFebruary 20162019}}</ref>
