1.1.8

Map Projections

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Map Projections

The world’s surface is three-dimensional but maps are two dimensional. A map projection transforms a 3D surface into a 2D surface.

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Map projections

  • A map projection represents the 3D surface of the Earth in a 2D surface in cartography.
    • The only map projection with no distortion is a globe.
  • Map projections always contain some inaccuracies.
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Mercator projection

  • The Mercator projection is the most commonly used projection.
  • The Mercator projection increases the size or area of landmasses away from the equator:
    • Antarctica appears to be much larger than it is in reality.
    • Africa appears to be much smaller than it is in reality.
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Other projections

  • The Peters projection maintains the relative areas of landmasses but distorts their shapes to do this.
  • There are many other types of projection maps including the Cassini, conic and the equirectangular projections.
  • Different map projections can distort areas, distances or directions between the landmasses on Earth.

Jump to other topics

1Geography Skills

2Geology of the UK

3Geography of the World

4Development

5Weather & Climate

6The World of Work

7Natural Resources

8Rivers

9Coasts

10Glaciers

11Tectonics

12Climate Change

13Global Population & Inequality

14Urbanisation

15Ecosystems

16Life in an Emerging Country

17Analysis of Africa

18Analysis of India

19Analysis of the Middle East

20Analysis of Bangladesh

21Analysis of Russia

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