Map Projections

Map projections are essential when creating a two dimensional interpretation of our three dimensional world. Map projections are significant because of their ability to represent the earth on a flat surface--a huge convenience for map users. Without projections, we would be forced to refer to globes when wanting to view a representation of the earth. Imagine having to carry around a globe on a hike or while driving in your car while looking for directions!?!

Some caveats to creating projections is that no projection can preserve real life distances, shape, area and right triangles exactly as they appear in reality/on a three dimensional surface simultaneously. Moreover, an unskilled or unaware map user may not be aware of the built in biases of projections. The mercator projection is infamous for creating misleading perceptions of continent size and area amongst users. Yet, it is still one of the most popular ways of displaying the earth and can be found in various classrooms/textbooks!


Projections can, however, be manipulated to show one of these features extensively. Therefore, different projections are more appropriate for certain contexts. For example, the mercator projection featured above is meant for Nautical navigation. Meanwhile, the conformal conic projection (also represented in the diagram above) is better suited towards aeronautic navigation because it presents circles as straight lines.

Finally, new and improved electronic technologies oriented towards the field of map projections and cartography specifically should allow for more accurate and varied cartographic representations of the earth. These same technologies also allow projections to be incorporated further in our daily lives and allow more 'average joes' to be able to create and use their own maps. This, however, has several consequences as most people are still very unaware of which projection is appropriate for which context. As previously stated, a projection used in the wrong context can provide wrong and/or misleading information.