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Cause a map is flat, and the Earth is curved. Can't force a curved image onto a flat surface w/o losing something.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoDistortions are a bit hard to explain but the general idea is that the world is like an orange skin - if you peel off the skin and spread it out (in one piece), then you have the world and the distortions of maps laid out in front of you. We live on a big ball. Forcing the ball's image onto a 2-dimensional surface is the inevitable problem. Globes are the 'maps' that have the least over-all distortion, but in many ways they have far less detail and practical usefulness than well made 2-dimensional maps.
Distortions are also known as projections. Over the years there have been arguments over which projection best explains and depicts the world and in the end, it resulted in the following different projections:
- Wagner VII Projection/Pseudo azimuthal projection
- Conic Projection
- Mercator Map
- And many more....
The importance of distortions very much depends on how a map will be used. If you are planning a country's defense systems and strategies, then you want to eliminate or be able to account for global distortions to the highest degree of accuracy. If you want a good road map that will get you to a destination a thousand miles away, global distortions will mean absolutely nothing to you. Political maps may or may not be improved by paying attention to distortions; sometimes relative areas of adjoining areas will be critical and sometimes not. There aren't going to be many border disputes among the states of the US; it might be different in other parts of the world.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoBecause it is not possible to reproduce a sphere accurately on a 2-dimensional surface.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThey are trying to show a three-dimensional object in two dimensions.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agohas to be exact
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What happens with all map projections as a larger area is shown?
most are on the cost
What type of map projection portrays accurate sizes but distorts the shapes of land masses?
A map projection is a flat representation of the Earth's global surface. There are for different types of projections-- those that focus on distance, those that focus on direction, those that focus on area, and those that focus on shape. Conformal map projections are the type that show the correct size of continents but distort area size.
What do map projections have in common?
distortion
Why are there different types of map projections?
=The curved surface of the earth cannot be shown accurately on a map because such a surface must be stretched or broken in some places as it is flattened. For this reason mapmakers use map projections.=
Why do cartographers use different map projections when presenting earth?
Map projections provide techniques to properly display features on maps, globes and atlases.
How is a polar map distorted?
Maps are projections of the surface of a ball (the globe of the planet Earth) onto a flat sheet of paper.If you get some orange peel (which is also a ball) and try and make it go flat like paper you will find it will tear in some places and crumple in others because you can't just simply make it flat.Thus to make a flat map of a curved surface you have to have some sort of distortion to some part of it. There are several methods for doing this - equal area projections (which keep the relationships of area constant), equal angle projections, polar projections, Mercator projections etc.
Why are there so many map projections?
There are many map projections so you can see all the shapes and sizes of diffrent places. Also it is to show the diffrent angles, off places.=Hope i answered you question.=There are many map projections so you can see all the shapes and sizes of diffrent pla
What are the release dates for Map Projections - 1977?
Map Projections - 1977 was released on: USA: 1977
What feature is distorted on an equal area map?
Landmasses , map projections that show the correct size of landmasses are called equal-area maps. In order to show the correct size of the landmasses, the map usually distort shapes . This distortion is usually greater at the edges of the map and less at the center
What map have projection has fairly accurate shapes in the center but increasing distorting toward the edges?
All two dimensional (flat) maps (called projections) of the surface of the Earth have distortion. Several projections are used to create such maps and each is better for some uses and not others. There is no most distorted projection. It depends on the intended use for the map.
Where are landmasses distorted on a gnomic project?
Gnomic Projections distort near poles.
What happens with all map projections as a larger area is shown?
most are on the cost
What type of map projection portrays accurate sizes but distorts the shapes of land masses?
A map projection is a flat representation of the Earth's global surface. There are for different types of projections-- those that focus on distance, those that focus on direction, those that focus on area, and those that focus on shape. Conformal map projections are the type that show the correct size of continents but distort area size.
Are there 3 main types of map projection?
Map makers are called cartographers. There are 3 generally accepted types of map projections. These are cylindrical projections, conic projects and planar projections.
Which type of maps is most distorted at the poles?
The Mercator projection World Map is the chart which is most distorted in the polar regions. Originally developed in the mid sixteenth century it was the most popular map for marine navigators for over 400 years. It is still useful for navigation at sea but has been supplanted by newer projections, especially after the advent of aviation navigation.
What do map projections have in common?
distortion
Why does every map projection have some degree of distortion?
All map projections distort the surface in some fashion. Depending on the purpose of the map, some distortions are acceptable and others are not; therefore different map projections exist in order to preserve some properties of the sphere-like body at the expense of other properties. There is no limit to the number of possible map projections.
