Table of Contents
What do all flat maps show?
All Flat Maps Have Distortion Geographers use maps to show features of Earth, such as oceans and continents. But every flat map involves some distortion. The size or shape of landmasses may be dis- torted. It is a popular projection because it balances the distortions of size and shape.
What was the original purpose for making a flat map?
In 1569, Mercator published his epic world map. This map, with its Mercator projection, was designed to help sailors navigate around the globe. They could use latitude and longitude lines to plot a straight route. Mercator’s projection laid out the globe as a flattened version of a cylinder.
What is the name of a flat map?
planar projection map projection where the Earth’s surface is projected onto a flat surface (plane).
What are lines of longitude called?
Longitude is measured by imaginary lines that run around the Earth vertically (up and down) and meet at the North and South Poles. These lines are known as meridians.
Why are maps flat?
The Mercator projection merely brushes over the not-so-pretty bits of the map by stretching parts of the Earth’s surface out across the flat surface for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance to the map reader.
Who invented the flat map of the world?
Gerardus Mercator
To celebrate his 503rd birthday, Flemish mathematician and cartographer Gerardus Mercator, who in 1569 discovered how to create a flat map that takes into consideration the curvatures of the earth, has been honored in a new Google Doodle.
What is flat map in geography?
flat map that represents the three-dimensional curved surface of a globe is called a map projection. no projection is an entirely accurate representation of earth’s surface. however, each kind of projection has certain advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when choosing a map. cylindrical projections.
Why is a flat map better than a globe?
A globe is better when you want to see what the world looks like from space because a map is flat and doesn’t look real. A globe is better when you want to see the North Pole and the South Pole in the correct places, because a flat map can’t show them the way they really look from space.
What are advantages of maps?
Maps are easier to use and easier to carry around. They can show the earth’s entire surface or just a small part and can show even a small locality in a great detail.