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EARTH
REPAINTED

Every epic tale starts with a map.

This one is of us, but reprojected.

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DISCOVER THE WORLD OF ALTERA

The Backdrop is the Story

IMAGINE A RICHER WORLD

Those who hold a map are masters of borders, territories, subjects, and commodities.
Those who draw the map hold a different sort of potential.

Atlas Altera is syntopian fiction. It leverages the classroom cliché map to reimagine how diversity and co-existence can take shape, all the while building from real but buried geographies.
 
Encounter difference. Discover common ground.
Learn and unlearn.

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A Whole World to Explore

 

Explanations, Marginalia & Etymologies

ACCESS BONUS MATERIALS ON PATREON

A Different Kind of Atlas

WHAT IS ATLAS ALTERA

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For a lack of inspiration, we're losing what makes our world rich. Though our planetary ecosystems are in dire straits, we also stand to lose the lion’s share of cultural wisdom that has made it thus far in human history.

 

Atlas Altera is a fictional cartographic exercise to reimagine our backdrop. Instead of achieving a homogenizing "end of history," in the strange yet familiar world of Altera, cultural differences flourish. One of the main goals of the atlas is to represent on a political world map at least one language from every language family currently in existence, or which is being revitalized.

The worldbuilding is developed from a series of alternate history scenarios, as well as a dash of alternate geography. But unlike darker irredentist fantasies and conventional alternate history, the project is about making room for those that lost out in the drawing up of borders without the winner takes all logic.

Recognizing how the classroom prop of a political map has the power to rally and erase, and being pragmatic with territoriality, Atlas Altera puts into focus countries as the base unit to illuminate the diversities in our own timeline—peoples and their dialects, knowings, wisdoms, practices, traditions, beliefs—which everyday threaten to vanish.

Apart from thematic maps, the lore of Altera is doled out in map plates and chorographic narratives, inspired by the tradition of chorography and regional geography. 

Videos &
Podcast Episodes

LISTEN IN TO BACKSTAGE DISCUSSIONS

The Backdrop is the story
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The World Reinvented

REGIONS OF ALTERA

With new alternate political constellations, the world's landmasses are divided to form a dazzling array of new regional geographies.

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Obscure Lore Resurfaced

REAL FACTS

Defying ideas of modernity and globalization,

Altera is a world of a thousand and one nations,

and the world as a whole is culturally richer for it.

From languages to religion to staple foods,

explore a world of maximized difference.

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Possibilities of Diversity and Multiplicity

THEMATIC MAPS

​Atlas Altera goes beyond conventional

high fantasy, alternate history, and science fiction

by letting the real world do the worldbuilding.

Learn obscure facts. Explore the marginalia.

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Radical Political Imaginaries

 

A WEALTH OF NATIONS

In the strange yet familiar world

of Altera, borders are redrawn and history reimagined to give room for more languages and cultures. Hundreds of new states make it

onto the political map.

Bring Altera to Life

ATLAS ALTERA'S STORE

As a fellow traveller between

the realms of reality and possibility,

take a piece of Altera home with you.

Meet the Creators

PROJECT TEAM

Started as one person's passion project, Atlas Altera has since drawn in a group of talented individuals keen on taking the project to its full potential.

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Join Other Fellow Travellers

ATLAS ALTERA DISCORD

Want to get more involved?

Atlas Altera attracts

supporters and fellow travellers

from all across the globe. 

Follow Atlas Altera

DEEP DIVES, SHORT STORIES, AND CONTENT GALORE

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Snapshots of Altera

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Stories and fiction from Altera

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Very Short
Contact Stories

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Bonus Material and Sneak Peaks

Backstage Talks in the Map Room

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