In November 2014, the Russian invasion of the Ukrainian peninsula, Crimea, became a virtual battlefield on Google maps. Initially Google Maps displayed Crimea as a disputed area with a dotted border. After pressure from the Russian government, Google was forced to changed it, so people in Russia now see it as Russian territory on Google Maps. Outside Russia it is still marked as a disputed area.
The notion that maps provide an objective or scientific depiction of the world is a common myth.
Image: World map with the British Empire highlighted in red, Mercator projection. Author: Colomb, J.C.R. Publisher: MacClure & Co. Date: 1886. Location: Great Britain. (Wiki Commons)
