1. Map Projections

3. Map Projections How we present our round Earth on flat maps
All map projections have some distortions
Size
Shape
Distance
Direction

4. Cylindrical/Compromise
Shows the entire earth on one map

5. Cylindrical: Mercator
shape and size is distorted at the poles and compressed at the equator
direction is correct, so used for naval navigation
Can also be used for anything close to the equator

8. Cylindrical: Homolosine
“interrupted map”
Correct shapes and sizes

10. Cylindrical: Robinson
nearly true size and shape of continents and oceans
Landforms near poles appear flat
Everything is distorted, but just slightly.
Used for overall view of the globe (textbooks, National Geographic, etc.)

12. Pseudocylindrical: Mollweide
Area of land is accurate
Everything squished at the poles

14. Conical
Most accurate along lines of latitude where it touches the globe
Retains almost true shape and size where it touches
Edges of the map are distorted
Used to show large areas going east and west

16. Planar/Azimuthal Touch the globe at one point Shows true direction
Distorts size and shape

18. Quiz What projection will you find on the following pages? p. 643
P. A16-A17

19. Great Circle Routes
The shortest distance between any two points on a globe
To find, you need a globe or a planar/azimuthal projection
P. A4-A5
If you’re flying from Mexico to India, what countries would you cross?
Is that the shortest way there?