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)?
1 2
0%0%
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?
1 2
0%0%
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.
1 2
0%0%
Non-Response Grid
#8. Which statement is true?
1 2
0%0%
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?
1 2
0%0%
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)
1 2 3
0% 0%0%
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
1 2 3
0% 0%0%
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
1 2 3
0% 0%0%
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
1 2 3
0% 0%0%
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