Using Globes and Maps

1
Using Globes and Maps

• Most Common Map Projections
• Geography Handbook Section 1, pages 6-9

2
Map Projections

• Imagine taking the whole peel from an orange and
  trying to flatten it on a table.
• You would either have to cut it or stretch parts
  of it.
• Map makers have the same problem!

3

• When the Earths surface is flattened, big gaps
  open up. To fill these gaps mapmakers stretch
  parts of the earth. Therefore, mapmakers choose
  to show either
• The correct shapes of places, or
• The correct size of places
• It is impossible to do both!

4

• As a result mapmakers have developed different
  projections, or ways of showing the earth on a
  flat piece of paper. Each projection has its
  strengths and weaknesses.
• The types of projections are
• Mercator
• Goodes Interrupted
• Robinson
• Winkel Tripel

5
Mercator Projection

• Positive Aspects
• Land shapes and true directions are easy to see
  and use

• Negative Aspects
• Continent size and distances on the map are
  distorted.
• For example Alaska appears to be large

• Uses
• Good for sea travel. It shows true directions.

6
Lines of latitude are very straight as are
longitude.
7
Goodes Interrupted

• Uses
• Good for comparing land data about the continents

• Positive Aspects
• Continents are close to their real size and true
  shape

• Negative Aspects
• Distances, especially in oceans are less accurate

8
Strange Shape
9
Robinson

• Uses
• Many atlases use this type of map easy to read

• Positive Aspects
• Size and shape is shown with less distortion than
  Mercator and is easier to look at than Goodes
  Interrupted

• Negative Aspects
• North and South Poles are not so accurate due to
  distortion

10
latitudes are straight and longitudes are curved
11
Winkel Tripel

• Uses
• Geographic Society uses this type of map

• Positive Aspects
• This gives a good overall view of continent
  shapes and true sizes. There is less distortion
  than Robinson

• Negative Aspects
• Some distortion at the poles but less than
  Robinson

12
latitudes and longitudes are curved