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!