answersLogoWhite

0

A flat map is distorted at the poles. Map projections allow us bring the world from 3d to 2d and see it from different perspectives, depending on what characteristics you want to preserve (i.e. distance, area, shape, and proximity). If you want a more accurate representation of the north pole you might use a planar projection, rather than a cylindrical projection. The only true representation of distance, area, shape, and proximity is a globe and those aren't very easy to fold up and put in our pockets are they?

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What are map projections mainly derived by?

Map projections are mainly derived by mathematical formulas that project the Earth's three-dimensional surface onto a two-dimensional plane. These formulas determine how geographic features like shape, scale, distance, and direction are distorted on the map. Different projections are suited for different purposes depending on the type of distortion that is most acceptable for a particular map.


Why are map Projections important?

Map projections are important because they allow us to represent the three-dimensional Earth on a two-dimensional map. Different projections are useful for different purposes, such as preserving accurate distances, areas, or shapes. Choosing the right projection ensures that the map effectively communicates information without distorting important geographical features.


What type of map is produced by fitting together a series of map projections?

A composite map is produced by fitting together a series of different map projections. This technique uses the strengths of each projection to portray the entire globe with minimal distortion across different regions.


What different kinds of projections do world maps come in?

World maps come in a number of projections, each have their own uses and problems. These different projections include a globe, several types of Mercator projections, Robinson, Miller cylindrical, stereographic, orthographic, Sinusoidal, Gnomonic, several types of Azimuthal projections, and others. The US Geological Survey has comprehensive information on map projections available.


Actual map projections are made not by casting shadows on paper but by applying that manipulate the scales of the surface features?

Map projections are created by mathematically transforming the curved surface of the Earth onto a flat plane. This process involves distorting certain aspects of the map, such as shapes, areas, distances, or directions, to create a 2D representation of the Earth's surface. Different map projections serve different purposes, and each comes with its own set of distortions.

Related Questions

Why are map projections used?

To see different views of the Earth.


What are the 3 different types of map projections?

The three main types of map projections are cylindrical, conic, and azimuthal. Cylindrical projections show the Earth's surface on a cylinder, conic projections project the Earth's surface onto a cone, and azimuthal projections project the Earth's surface onto a plane. Each type has variations that can result in different map distortions.


Why do cartographers use different map projections when presenting earth?

Map projections provide techniques to properly display features on maps, globes and atlases.


Why are there different types of map projections?

=The curved surface of the earth cannot be shown accurately on a map because such a surface must be stretched or broken in some places as it is flattened. For this reason mapmakers use map projections.=


Why are map Projections important?

Map projections are important because they allow us to represent the three-dimensional Earth on a two-dimensional map. Different projections are useful for different purposes, such as preserving accurate distances, areas, or shapes. Choosing the right projection ensures that the map effectively communicates information without distorting important geographical features.


What are map projections mainly derived by?

Map projections are mainly derived by mathematical formulas that project the Earth's three-dimensional surface onto a two-dimensional plane. These formulas determine how geographic features like shape, scale, distance, and direction are distorted on the map. Different projections are suited for different purposes depending on the type of distortion that is most acceptable for a particular map.


What type of map is produced by fitting together a series of map projections?

A composite map is produced by fitting together a series of different map projections. This technique uses the strengths of each projection to portray the entire globe with minimal distortion across different regions.


What is a system of mapping the round earth on a flat surface called?

A system of mapping the round earth on a flat surface is called a map projection. Map projections are used to represent the Earth's curved surface on a two-dimensional map. Different map projections have different strengths and weaknesses depending on the purpose of the map.


What are the release dates for Map Projections - 1977?

Map Projections - 1977 was released on: USA: 1977


How could the world be shown on a map?

There are many different ways of showing the world on a map, called projections, but none of them are completely accurate.


Why does every map projection have some degree of distortion?

All map projections distort the surface in some fashion. Depending on the purpose of the map, some distortions are acceptable and others are not; therefore different map projections exist in order to preserve some properties of the sphere-like body at the expense of other properties. There is no limit to the number of possible map projections.


Cartographers can represent the spherical Earth on flat paper?

Cartographers use map projections to represent the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map. Different map projections distort the size, shape, distance, or direction of features on the map to varying degrees. Each projection has its strengths and weaknesses depending on the purpose of the map.