A map projection is one of many methods used to represent the 3-dimensional surface of the earth or

other round body on a 2-dimensional plane in cartography (mapmaking). This process is typically, but
not necessarily, a mathematical procedure (some methods are graphically based).

Categories
There are several different types of projections that aim to accomplish different
goals while sacrificing data in other areas through distortion.
Area preserving projection – equal area or equivalent projection
Shape preserving – conformal, orthomorphic
Direction preserving – conformal, orthomorphic, azimuthal (only from a the central
point)
Distance preserving – equidistant (shows the true distance between one or two
points and every other point)
[Link] projection • Wrap a sheet of paper around the globe in the form of a
cylinder, transfer the geographic features of the globe on to it. Then unroll the sheet
and lay it.
• To achieve projection, the graticule would be rectangular, the cylinder tangent to
one line on the globe or intersects two line of the globe. The three different
cylindrical projection are;
a. Normal (using the lines of latitute as lines of contact – e.g. Mercator)
b. Transverse (using meridians – e.g. Transverse mercator)
c. Oblique (using any other great circle lines)
2. CONIC PROJECTION • A method of projecting maps of parts of the earth’s
spherical surface on a surrounding cone, which is then flattened to a plane surface
having concentric circles as parallels of latitude and radiating lines from the apex as
meridians
• A cone is placed over the earth, normally tangent to one or more lines of latitude.
A conic projection works best over mid latitudes for this reason.
• Wrap a piece of paper around the globe to form a cone. Shine a light from the
center of the earth, trace the image that is projected onto the paper, and then take
the paper off for a conic projection.
3. Azimuthal or planar projection. • A map projection in which a globe, as of the
Earth, is assumed to rest on a flat surface onto which its features are projected.
• It is a one of the important projection result from projecting a spherical surface in
to plane.
• In this projection a flat paper is suppose to touch the globe at one point and
project the lines of latitude and longitude on a plane. This type of projection usually
tangent to the globe at one point, but may be secant.
• The point of contact may be north pole, south pole, a point on the equatorial or
any point in between.
Azimuthal or planar projection are of three different types; 1. Polar (using either
north or south pole) 2. Equatorial (using a point somewhere on the Equator) 3.
Oblique (using any other point)
Importance of map projection:
Since the Earth is roughly the shape of an oblate spheroid, map projections are
necessary for creating maps of the Earth or parts of the Earth that are represented
on a plane such as a piece of paper or a computer screen. By nature, all map
projections distort different properties of the spheroid-based features. The earth is
three dimensional, and it is a challenge to show information in 3D to communicate
with others. Putting it on the flat surface makes it easier for all to understand.
Every type of map projection involves distortion, so it depends what sort of
distortion is acceptable. The problem is that the Earth surface is curved and maps
are flat. No matter what we do, a flat map will be a compromise.

Equal area projections distort directions. Rectangular lat-long grids distort sizes and distances. Orange-
peel maps are most accurate but have spatial gaps that get huge near the poles and still distort
directions somewhat.

The very best map is a globe, which represents reality faithfully.

The elements of map projection are as under :

1. Reduced earth : The model of the earth is represented by the help of a reduced scale on a flat
sheet of paper. On this model the network of graticule can be transferred.
2. Parallels of Latitude : These are the circles round the globe parallel to the equator and
maintaining uniform distance from the poles. They are demarcated as 0° to 90° North and
South.
3. Meridians of Longitude : Longitudes are also the elements of map projection. These are drawn
north to south direction from one pole to the other and two opposite meridians make a
complete circle i.e. circumference of the globe.
4. Global Property : These are :
(i) Distance between any given points of a region;
(ii) Shape of the region;
(iii) Size or area of the region in accuracy;
(iv) Direction of any one point of the region bearing to another point.

Choice of map projection:

Choosing the proper projection for a map is vital to correctly presenting the map’s information or
message. A proper projection helps the viewer correctly interpret the information contained on the
map, while the misuse of projection (either intentionally or unintentionally) gives viewers a skewed
perspective of the area or information they are viewing. Poor use of projection can have a variety of
negative consequences, such as the viewer gaining an inaccurate mental perception of an area or
incorrect understanding of the map’s message, or a user becoming lost. Maps are created for a variety
of purposes, and as a result, there is no single map projection that is better than the rest. Therefore,
when choosing a map projection, it is useful to consider a number of factors such as the following:

Scale: choosing the map projection depends largely on the scale of the map, and projection choice is
more important for small-scale maps (those that cover large areas) such as regions or continents. Use of
a suitable projection for world maps is particularly important. For example, distortion in a Mercator
projection for a large scale map of city streets would not be nearly as noticeable as the distortion of
landmasses present in a Mercator world map.

Size and Shape of the Area: different projections should be chosen for areas on a North-South versus
East-West orientation. For example, a map showing Chile (North-South orientation) would be made with
a different projection than a map showing the continental United States, or Western Europe (East- West
orientations).

Location: longitudinal location of the map area determines what type of projection should be used (for
example, a conic projection for areas in the mid-latitudes with east- west extent, an azimuthal
projection for displaying polar areas, etc.).

Purpose: the intended use of a map should be tied directly to its projection. Before choosing a
projection, it is important to consider the objectives of the map user. Possible uses such as navigation,
research, and general reference will require different projections. For example, a Mercator projection is
best suited for maps intended to be used for navigation, while a Robinson or Mollweide projection is
better for general reference world maps.

Audience: the sophistication of the map user should be considered when determining the complexity of
the projection. For example, an interrupted projection may not be appropriate for young map users
because it could greatly confuse them regarding the nature of the earth. In this case, a better option for
a younger audience would be the Robinson projection, since it is more intuitive and simplistic.

Limitation of map projection:

 The Equal area map causes the shapes of landmasses to be altered and forced into curves.
 The direction and areas are only accurate in relationship to the central point. -It takes several
flat projections to depict the entire earth. Equal-area projections accurately depict the area of all
regions of the earth at one time.
 Mercator projection distorts the size of objects as the latitude increases from the Equator to the
poles, where the scale becomes infinite. So, for example, Greenland & Antarctica appear much
larger relative to landmasses near the equator than they actually are.
 Peters’s chosen projection suffers extreme distortion in the polar regions, as any cylindrical
projection must, and its distortion along the equator is considerable.
 In conic map projection, distances and scale are true only on both standard parallels with
directions being reasonably accurate. Areas are equal to the same areas on Earth, though it’s
not conformal, perspective

Representative fraction (RF) is the ratio of distance on the map to distance on the ground.
Representative fractions are expressed in the form of 1 followed by a : (colon) and then a number,
where the one is the numerator in the fraction, the colon represents the division operation, and the
other number is the denominator. Thus, a scale of 1:24,000 can be expressed mathematically as
1/24,000.

Representative fraction indicates ratio between the number of units on the map to the number of units
on the ground.

The interval scale is a type of metric scale and reflects quantitative values. In terms of levels of
measurement, the interval scale is located above the nominal and ordinal scales. In interval scales, the
location parameters mode, median and mean can be calculated.