5. The Lie of the Land

Self-confessed map addict Mike Parker explores modern cartography.

There are lies, damned lies, statistics - and then there are maps. Borders can be moved and countries expanded, shrunk or even left off the map altogether.

We'd like to believe that maps are a purely factual representation of the world with no bias or agenda, but in fact every cartographer decides what to include on their map and what to exclude.

Mike Parker discovers how maps can be used as tools of power, politics and propaganda.

Producer: Jeremy Grange

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2010.