Map Projection Methods Geography Grade 10

Projection Methods of Maps A projection method is used to transfer images from the globe to a flat surface. It is used primarily for making small-scale maps, allowing a whole country or continent, or even the world to fit into one page. The three most common types of projection are: plane, conical, and cylindrical.

Plane Projection Restricted to mapping small areas such as the North or South Pole Accurate in the centre Clearly shows the converging meridians Inaccurate around the edges

Plane Projection Map

Conical Projection Used for countries, continents or regions with an east-west alignment Accurate along the “standard parallel” which occurs approximately half way up the map Very distorted near the top and bottom

Conical Projection Map

Cylindrical Projection Useful for mapping equatorial regions and producing world maps Only projection method that can gather most areas of the globe onto one map Accurate along the equator Almost useless beyond 60 degrees latitude

Cylindrical Projection Map

Map Projection Methods There is a wide variety of specific projection methods (eg. Mercator, Equal-Area, Peters, Winkel-Tripel, etc.) Each method has advantages and disadvantages Generally speaking, there is no one overall best map projection method. Each method has value depending on your purpose.

The Mercator Projection This is probably the most common form of map – used often in schools and in atlases. Excellent for navigation as it shows the locations of places, relative to one another, correctly. Distorts the sizes of places, especially near the poles.

The Winkel – Tripel Projection Terrible for navigation as the location of most places is distorted. Shows the size of countries more accurately Good for political purposes – size matters in power and politics