World Map Projections

What is a map?

• “A map is a two-dimensional drawing of all or part of the Earth’s surface,” – Geography Skills Handbook (Pg. 22)

Perspective

• Definition: A viewpoint.

Activity

• We’re going to compare the sizes of Greenland and Africa on two projections, the Mercator and the Robinson.

• By using only these two maps we will try to see how close in size they are to each other.

Mercator Projection

Robinson Projection

Actual Sizes

• Greenland: .8 million sq. miles• Africa: 11.6 million sq. miles

• 11.6/.8=14.5

• That means Greenland should fit into Africa 14.5 times!!

Other Ways of Looking at the World

Goode’s Projection

SourcesImages:http://www.petersmap.com/page3.htmlwww3.slv.vic.gov.auwww.gpht.comwww.jpmaps.co.ukwww.watermanpolyhedron.comhttp://t0.gstatic.com/images?

q=tbn:ANd9GcQpeLgPFqMvaRNbAzJlLqEXD35MMCQ8ZYPge1ghlcev3D7Oopo&t=1&usg=__vpxWnrWhxfevghiRK_I1v47B0Ak=

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:FiaEqZ_TzrvC5M:http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:Eu2kJGDJwTgWOM:www.helmink.comwww.garwood-voight.comwww.pollsb.comwww.mall-maps.com

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perspective

Geography Skills Handbook Pages 22-23