The Cat Theory

Known as the cat earth theory (which is only slightly more ridiculous than the flat earth theory), the ball is Australia, the head is China and Japan (and neighbours), and the ear (if Risk has taught us anything) is Kamchatka.

In this version of the world, Africa is the front leg and Europe and much of Asia make up the body.

As you can see, we are headed to the hind of the cat as we head west.  That makes South America the back leg and Alaska the tail.  And so it leaves us.

Vancouver is (and we stress that this is just in a cat earth geographical situation) the cat's butt.  Which makes Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands dingleberries.