Map Projections

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Map Projections
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A map projection is defined as a way of drawing a
map to represent the rounded earth on a flat
surface.
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SOL WG1 The student will use maps, globes and
photographs to analyze the physical and human
landscapes of the world in order to recognize the
different map projections and explain the concept
of distortion.
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• All maps distort the Earths representation
• The only true representation of the Earths
  surface is a globe.
• Different map projections are developed for
  specific purposes.

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• The Earths image will be distorted in one or
  more of the following ways.
• Area-is the size accurate?
• Shapes-is the shape accurate?
• Distance-is the scale accurate?
• Directions-can directions be accurately shown?

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• Students must be able to identify and understand
  the following projections.
• Mercator
• Polar
• Robinson

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Mercator Projection
Most Accurate in the tropics from Cancer to
Capricorn
Most Distortion at the North and South Poles
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Mercator Projection

• Used for
• Locating Latitude and Longitude
• Sea Captains use it for navigation at sea

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Mercator Projection

• Characteristics
• All lines are at 90 degree angles
• Simplest to read
• Accurate direction
• Distorted size, distance, shape

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Robinson Projection
Most Accurate at the equator
Most Distortion around the outer edges
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Robinson Projection

• Same characteristics as the Mercator except
• lines of longitude are curved
• shapes at the poles are flat and not as distorted
• used mostly in classrooms--one of the most
  accurate maps

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Polar Projection
Most Accurate at the poles
Most Distortion around the outer edges
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Polar Projection
Used for navigation of air planes
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Polar Projection

• Characteristics
• Distances and direction are accurate from the
  center along the longitude lines.
• Size and shape are accurate at the center of the
  map

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