Comparing Projection Maps
Since Earth is a sphere, the more correct model of Earth is a globe but often it is more useful to have a flat
map of Earth. Cartographers are people who make maps. When a cartographer creates a map, it is impossible
to avoid distortions because they are transforming a round globe into a flat map. A projection, or display, is
one method of creating a map. Cartographers use a projection to display the curved surfaces of the Earth
on a flat map. Each type of map projection will distort the Earth differently. Some map projections distort
the shapes of landforms while others distort the size of landforms. These are two common map projections,
Mercator and Robinson. They are both named after the men that created them.
Mercator Projection
The map above is a Mercator projection created by Gerhardus Mercator in the 1500’s. The Mercator
projection distorts a continents SIZE. The landforms near the North Pole and South Pole have more
distortions than the landforms near the equator. For example of a distortion, look at the size of the island
of Greenland. Greenland is not a continent but looks as large as one. It looks larger than South America but
actually, South America is much larger than Greenland.
Robinson Projection
Robinson Projection Map of the World
This map is a Robinson projection created by Arthur Robinson in the 1900’s. He created a map with less
distortion in size but he distorted the SHAPES of the continents. Robinson used curved longitude lines as a
key feature to make the map more like a globes’ curved shape. This map is becoming more popular because it
has small distortions instead of large distortions of Mercator. However, there are others that still prefer
to use the Mercator projection maps because the straight lines make it easier to use latitude and longitude.
Directions: Use the article to find the answers. Highlight your proof and use QAR.
1.
Label the island of GREENLAND on both maps.
2. Are the lines of longitude straight or curved on the Mercator projection? _____________
3. Are the lines of longitude straight or curved on the Robinson projection? ______________
4. Are the lines of latitude straight or curved on the Mercator projection? ______________
5. Are the lines of latitude straight or curved on the Robinson projection? _______________
6. What does cartographer mean? ____________________________________________
7. Are the distortions on a Mercator projection near the equator or near the poles?
____________________________________________________________________
8. Which island is an example of a major distortion on the Mercator? ___________________
9. Which projection looks like more like a globe? __________________________________
Directions: Use complete sentences to answer the question. 2 points each
10. Explain why ALL map projections have distortion
11. Which projection map has larger distortions in continent sizes? Provide an example as proof
12. Which projection map has less size distortions? What feature did the cartographer use to create
less size distortion?