Map Projections Simplified

Learning Target

• I can explain why map projections look different from one another.

• I can explain the strengths and weaknesses of different map projections.

• I can describe why all maps are distorted in some way.

• I can define proportional, distortion & projection.

4. ____ What seems wrong about Antarctica and Greenland on

the Mercator Projection map (previous page)?

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A. They are proportionally too small in

relation to the other continents.

B. They are proportionally too big in relation to the other continents.

Non-Response Grid

Proportional means… the comparative

relationship of sizes & shapes.

Proportional means… the comparative

relationship of sizes & shapes.

Proportional means… (question #5)

•A. The comparative relationship between

things (like the sizes of continents

compared to each other)

Which map is more proportionally accurate

regarding the actual size of the continents?

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1. A

2. B

Non-Response Grid

#6. A map is: • C. …a graphic representation of a place usually

on a flat surface.

#7. Which statement is true? 1. The picture is a representation, or copy, of Da

Vinci’s original.

2. The picture at right is the actual Mona Lisa painted by Da Vinci.

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Non-Response Grid

#8. Which statement is true?

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1. A representation is the genuine object being studied by a student.

2. A representation is something that is made to be like something else.

Non-Response Grid

So, maps are usually flat & 2D while the world is spherical and very much 3D. Will this cause there to

be any inaccuracies or distortion on a MAP?

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1.YES

2.NO Non-Response

Grid

YES… All maps are LIARS. • All maps don’t present the way the world

actually is because its round and they are flat.

Maps seek for correct proportions…

Not Contortions…

But end up with distortions.

How would you define distortion? What does that word make you think of?

Distortion is the misrepresentation of

shape or size of something.

Different Maps will even represent lines

of latitude & longitude differently…

29. Since longitude lines intersect at the poles, cartographers made them become parallel by all the following ways except which? (trick question)

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1. A. Cartographers stretched and extended the lines to fill in the gaps.

2. B. The lines are purposely drawn to be further apart.

3. C. Cartographers wanted to show directions accurately on this map

Why is C an incorrect answer?

C. Cartographers wanted to show directions accurately on this map

Showing direction answers WHY they did it…

Not HOW they did it.

Which map projection looks most familiar to you?

1. Map X

2. Map Y

3. Map Z Map X: Equal Areal Projection

Map Y: Robinson Projection

Map Z: Mercator

Projection

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Countdown

10

Which map is the most difficult to see Alaska (map K)?

1. Map X

2. Map Y

3. Map Z Map X: Equal Areal Projection

Map Y: Robinson Projection

Map Z: Mercator

Projection

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Countdown

10

Which map has the least distortion regarding the size of continents?

1. Map X

2. Map Y

3. Map Z Map X: Equal Areal Projection

Map Y: Robinson Projection

Map Z: Mercator

Projection

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Countdown

10

Which map has the least distortion regarding the shape of the continents?

1. Map X

2. Map Y

3. Map Z Map X: Equal Areal Projection

Map Y: Robinson Projection

Map Z: Mercator

Projection

Which map tries to get the best of both worlds concerning shape & size?

1. Map X

2. Map Y

3. Map Z Map X: Equal Areal Projection

Map Y: Robinson Projection

Map Z: Mercator Projection

Map Projection: the case of the perturbed Mercator Map

M.A.P.S. writing assignment

Pt. 1 - Strengths and Weaknesses of

Map Projections:

Rank the severity of how much

each projection distorts certain

characteristics of the land on a

world map.

What is distorted more?

Shape – the way it looks

Size – the relative size of each

Kind of

Projections

Distortion

of Shape

Distortion

of Size

Directional

Distortion Example

Mercator

Robinson ________________________________________________________________

Equal

Area ________________________________________________________________

Rank: 1 = little to none. 2 = somewhat noticeable. 3 = very much

What is distorted more?

Shape – the way it looks

Size – the relative size of each

Kind of

Projections

Distortion

of Shape

Distortion

of Size

Directional

Distortion Example

Mercator

Robinson ________________________________________________________________

Equal Area ________________________________________________________________

Kind of

Projections

Distortion

of Shape

Distortion

of Size

Directional

Distortion Example

Mercator

Robinson ________________________________________________________________

Equal Area ________________________________________________________________

Pt. 2 - Writing Assignment: You are a

Mercator Map and need to write a short

speech to give to your fellow Mercator

Map friends because of the following

conditions.

Role: A disturbed map

making a motivational

speech

Format: Your speech needs 3 paragraphs. #1. Explain why all

maps are distorted. # 2. What your one weakness is as a

Mercator Projection. #3. Why your map projection is no

different in usefulness than Robinson’s & Equal Area’s

Projection (to do this, explain with examples the strengths

and weaknesses of all three projections).

Audience: all your

young and

uninformed Mercator

Map friends

Topic: A group of Robinson maps and Equal Area maps are

talking with a text-book company to have you, a Mercator

Projection map, removed from the book. Tell your Mercator

peers what is happening and defend why you should be kept in

the book. Why are you so helpful?

Good writing needs a RAFT to float in

academic waters…

Legibility is imperative! If I can’t read you’re

writing, I will require you to re-write it or

type it out.

Inspirational Speech:

The Pursuit of Happiness