A Polar Projection: The Arctic Region

A polar projection is called an equidistant projection which shows the land and water in relation to a central point.

The equidistant projection maps show distance and direction accurately.

The size and shape become increasingly distorted as you move away from the center on an equidistant projection.

Vocabulary Words

Arctic Circle – a line of latitude that runs through northern North America, northern Asia, and northern Europe (66.5°N latitude)

Arctic Region – region of continuous cold around the North Pole; includes Arctic Ocean, thousands of islands, and the northern parts of Asia, Europe, and North America

cartographer– map maker

Equidistant projection– projection that shows land and water in relation to a central point

lines of latitude (parallels) - imaginary lines on Earth that run parallel to the equator {horizontal}

Lines of longitude (meridians) - imaginary lines on Earth that run between the North and South Poles {vertical}

North Pole – the point on Earth located at 90° N latitude, where the lines of longitude meet

Polar projection – a kind of equidistant projection that includes one of the poles as its center

Prime meridian – an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole of the Earth at 0° longitude

projection– a system for mapping the round Earth on a flat surface

Answers

MONDAY 1. North Pole 2. Circles

1. Asia, Europe, and North America TUESDAY 1. Asia, Europe, and North America 2. Arctic Circle

WEDNESDAY 1. Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea 2. Canada, Finland, Denmark (territory of Greenland), Norway, Russia, Sweden, and U.S. (Alaska)

1. Distance and direction THURSDAY 1. Distance and direction 2. Europe; North America

FRIDAY 1. Canada 2. Alaska at about 72°N