1. Map Projections and Types of Maps

2. Map projection:
Scientific method of transferring locations on Earth’s surface to a flat map.
Different projections show distortion in:
Shape
Distance
Relative size
Direction

3. Shape

4. Distance

5. Relative size

6. Direction

8. 1. Robinson Projection
Pro: Useful in displaying information across oceans along longitude lines; most common for geographers
Con: Shows a larger proportion of water to land than actuality

9. 2. Mercator Projection Pro: works for navigation around the Equator
Con: area is extremely distorted towards the poles

10. 3. Equal Area Projections
Azimuthal and Goode’s Interrupted Homolosine
Pro: Very little distortion to landmasses
Con: Discontinuities in oceanic regions

11. Types of Maps
Physical maps show elevation, mountains, rivers, deserts etc…

12. Types of Maps
Political maps show countries, cities, capitals, counties.

13. Special purpose maps
Maps designed for a special purpose. Highway maps, population maps, etc…

14. 4. Choropleth maps
Applies distinctive colors to represent different quantities or densities
Typically on a map of a formal region (political)

15. 5. Dot distribution/Dot Density map
Shows distribution using a concentration of dots
Each dot represents the same quantity
Used for population density

16. 6. Isopleth of Isoline maps
Used to portray quantities that vary smoothly over a given area
Joins locations with the same value
Used for climate variables

17. 7. Proportional symbol map
Portrays numerical quantities
Symbols are drawn proportional to the value at that location

18. 8. Cartogram
Deliberately distort map shapes to achieve special effects