1) What might be some reasons why we don't make maps like this?                                   (Scroll down for next map)

2) In fact, some of the first maps were made in this orientation. This is by Vesconte Maggiolo, 1512.

Finally, we should note that there were many sophisticated mapping technologies in non-western cultures whose development was interrupted by colonialism. Below is an indigenous navagation map based on the reflections of ocean swells off of distant islands in the south pacific.