Week 6 Lab: Map Projections

Different map projection preserve different aspects of the real world. Every single map projection has some sort of distortion because it is impossible to project a 3-d world perfectly onto a 2-d flat paper or screen.

When measuring the distance between Kabul, Afghanistan and Washington D.C., US on six different map projections, each one was a different distance. Even the two equal distance map projections had different values. I notice that the conformal map projections (Mercator and Miller) had the highest distance at over 10,000miles each. The Equal distance projection (cylindrical) had the lowest value at just over 5,000miles. This is a HUGE difference!

It is very important to choose wisely what map projection to use for what information you are trying to attain. I suppose for measuring distance one should use an equal distance map projection. I would still check for accuracy. Equal area and conformal map projections would be a wrong choice for measuring distance unless it is for a very small area. Most any projection will work well for a small area (ex. Los Angeles), but not for large areas.

Choosing a projection with the least amount of distortion for the area you are concerned with depends on latitude and where the center of the projection is. On the Mercator, the closer to the equator you are, the least distortion, so it would be good for the equatorial regions. A polar projection would be better for the polar regions.

Overall map projections are really cool and useful, especially in the geographic and geospatial world. Maps are the most useful tool for geographers. Learning how to read, create, and manipulate them is the challenge.