Different Map Projections
This lab asked us to create six maps using three different projections, conformal, equal area and equidistant. Map projection is a process that reshape the Earth from 3-dimensions into a 2-dimensional surface. It is important to us and used widely in our daily life.
It is known to us that globe is the best way to depict the Earth’s shape and to understand latitude and longitude, but it is not practical to use globe frequently in our daily life. As a result, we need flat map, which is much more convenient for us to understand the world around us. For example, when we go out for a travel and get lost in a new place, an accurate map can help us get out of trouble. The three different kinds of map showed above have their features respectively. Conformal maps preserve the angles locally, so this kind of map is better to navigate people who want to keep the right direction. Equal area maps give the right proportion of the images. Finally, equidistant maps preserve the distance so that they are useful to measure the distance between two places.
Although map projection is significant to us, its perils are also obvious. Since every kind of projection has distortion, all maps have some misleading information. For example, in Miller Cylindrical Map, the Greenland is larger than the United States, which looks very ridiculous. Moreover, if someone wants to navigate direction by using a equal area map, he or she may get to a wrong place at last because the angles of this kind of map are distorted. Consequently, people should take care to choose map projection to accomplish their goals.
Considering the significance and the pitfalls of map projection, I think it has much potential. Now people can only find a suitable map projection to meet their needs. However, with the development of technology, some more comprehensive map projections that preserve more natural features will be created. Maybe there will be a kind of map projection with no distortion in the future. Personally, I believe that is not impossible.
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