Map Projections The Earth is round. (3D) Maps are flat. (2D) This is a problem. –Projections are designed to transfer data from a sphere onto a flat piece of paper. –Information is lost or distorted in the process. –Different projections distort different data and can be better for certain uses but not others. All maps are inaccurate!
There are three standard projection methods: cylindrical, conical, and planar.
Cylindrical Projection Most common Little distortion near equator A lot of distortion near the poles
The conical projection is more accurate than the cylindrical but the farther down the map you go, the more distortion there is.
Planar projections are uncommon.
The Mercator Projection is the most common. It is a cylindrical projection. Areas near the poles are exaggerated. Greenland ends up looking eight times larger than South America!
Mercator Projection used to plot a straight course between any two points
Polar Projections are conical projections. They are also common and are excellent for plotting airline routes but they exaggerate lands near the equator.
Interrupted Projections try to depict the continents as accurately as possible by leaving blank space in the less important areas of the map, such as in the oceans.
Winkel Tripel Projection adopted by the National Geographic Society in 1998 offers a pleasing visual balance between shape and scale distortion
Compare Mercator Living Earth and Mercator Physical
Unusual solutions to the problem!