Map Projections

In today's world, it is common knowledge that the world is spherical. To represent the spherical world on a two dimensional surface takes some mathematical rendering. The process of rendering the three dimensional world on to a two dimensional surface is called a map projection. As one may expect, there are multiple ways to project the sphere. Each method has its own benefits and failures. In general, map projections will always introduce a distortion of either distance, shape, area, direction or any combination of these. Consequently, it is important to understand how map projections can benefit us and how they may fail to represent reality.

To begin with, there are many benefits in projecting a map on a two dimensional surface. For one, projecting a conformal map allows directional information to be preserved. This is highly beneficial for GPS and navigational purposes. As for equal area projections, these allow individuals to accurately analyze data that must take into account area. In these types of analysis, equal area projections can prevent errors. Continuously, equidistant map projections keep distant relationships ideal. Thus, these types of projections are ideal when distance relationships are taken into account. Overall, map projections allows individuals to present the three dimensional world in a two dimensional depiction; the type of projection chosen will preserve some aspect of reality that is necessitated by the analysis to be done.

On the contrary, there are pitfalls to map projections. For one, map projections will always distort some aspect of reality. Thereby, there is no perfect map projection that can be used in all spatial representations. In looking at the Mercator conformal map, one can easily identify the enormous distortion in area of Antarctica. As for the cylindrical equal area projection, areas further from the equator become elongated enormously. Another way one can see the distortion between maps is by comparing the distance between Kabul and Washington D.C. These measurements range from 8,100 miles to 13,400 miles. Comparing these values to the true value of approximately 6,900 miles, one can conclude that map projections are by no means perfect. Furthermore, in stating a map is equidistant, one must remember that all points on the map are equidistant from a certain focal point. Between locations in which one point is not the focal point, the distance measured is inaccurate. Similarly, conformal maps preserve direction and angles local to a certain point. As for equal area maps, the area of locations around the focal point are preserved, but away from the point one can see distortions of shape (i.e. Hammer Aitoff Equal Area). Overall, the multitude of distortions introduced in a map projection can cause maps to be useless if focal points are not wisely chosen.

Map projections are useful in the field of geography, but are not perfect. If wisely done, a map projection can be used accurately to display earth and data. At the same time, a map projection can introduce an enormous amount of distortion. Such distortion can be presented in a manner to dramatize depictions of sorts. Thus, it is useful to understand how a map projection can accurately show information or inaccurately distort presented information.