Lab 5: Map Projections

Gael Stereographic Conformal Map

Mercator Conformal Map

Hammer Aitoff Equal Area Map

Bonne Equal Area Map

Cylindrical Equidistant Map

Conic Equidistant Map

 

Map projections allow us to take the surface of the Earth and plot it on a two-dimensional plane. As seen from above, there are many different map projections to choose from. The types of surfaces one can choose from includes cone, cylinder, or flat plane. Whichever surface you choose, there will inevitably be some distortions to the area or distance between countries and cities because we are trying to plot a three-dimensional surface onto a two-dimensional plane.

These distortions are different depending on what type of map projection you use. For example, the first two conformal maps I used preserve angles on the map but can greatly distort the area of a country or continent. Equal area maps preserve area, so the area represented on the map is proportional to the area on Earth. The final type of map projection I used, equidistant, preserves the distance between a standard point or line. Unfortunately, equidistant maps also distort the areas of countries and continents. As proven, there is a downside to using map projections, but they still provide a lot of great use and information.

Based on what type of information one desires, they can use a specific map projection to attain it. Lets say someone wanted to know the distance between two major cities in the United States. They would use an equidistant map projection in order to find out. Conformal maps preserve angles, and are therefore good for navigational purposes in case someone is lost or in need of a general direction to get to their desired destination. Equal area maps are good to describe distributions, like population density, because they maintain area and represent it proportionally to Earth. There are multiple benefits to using map projections, despite their distortions. The trick is to understand which map projection will give you the most accurate information based on what you're looking for.

Personally, I find conformal maps to be most useful and practical because I love to travel. These maps could help me navigate my way through a foreign area. Thanks to Geography 7 and my acquired knowledge about conformal maps, I'll know what type of map to take on trips and how to properly read them.