Map Projections

By Mr. Melnick

Latitude               vs.           Longitude

1.  Also called parallels2.  Measure distance North and South3.  Equator is 0 --> numbers increase the farther you get away from equator

1.  Also called Meridians2.  Measure distance East and West3.  Prime Meridian is 0 --> Runs through Greenwich, England4.  International Date Line 180 degrees

 

 

Equator                         Prime Meridian

   

Mercator Projection

• Most common type of projection

• Accurately shows East-West direction

• Land formations are more distorted as you get farther away from the equator.

Robinson Projection• NOT equal area• Deformation gets worse away from 0• Meridians curve closer to the poles• DOES fit the entire earth on one map

Peters Projection

• Equal area projection• Often used in educational circles• does not distort area.

Interrupted Projections

Interrupted projections can be tricky.Maps are not "whole"It becomes difficult to navigate the "gaps"  http://www.progonos.com/furuti/MapProj/Dither/ProjInt/projInt.html

Specialized Maps

1.  Topography 2.  Vegitation 3.  Political 4.  Population

Points of View

All maps tell what is important from the mapmaker's culture. 

o Where is the mapmakers home?  

o What resources are shown? 

o Religious centers are often placed in center.