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Understanding Map Projections and Distortions

The document discusses map projections, which are methods for transforming the 3D surface of the Earth onto a 2D map. It defines projections and describes the qualities required, including scale, area preservation, shape preservation, and accuracy of bearing. It also classifies the main types of projections as cylindrical, conical, azimuthal, and conventional/natural. Specific projections like Mercator, Robinson, and azimuthal are discussed.

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15 views23 pages

Understanding Map Projections and Distortions

The document discusses map projections, which are methods for transforming the 3D surface of the Earth onto a 2D map. It defines projections and describes the qualities required, including scale, area preservation, shape preservation, and accuracy of bearing. It also classifies the main types of projections as cylindrical, conical, azimuthal, and conventional/natural. Specific projections like Mercator, Robinson, and azimuthal are discussed.

Uploaded by

faizankhan23
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MAP PROJECTIONS

PROJECTIONS

Definition:
1. Maps are flat, but the surfaces they represent are curved.
Transforming, three-dimensional space (GLOBE) onto a two
dimensional map is called Projection system.
OR
2. A projection is defined as any systematic arrangement of meridians
of longitude and parallels of latitude, which portray the curved
surface of the sphere or ellipsoid upon a plane. Projections are
required.
a. To construct a map graticule.
b. To construct a grid system.
c. To display topographic information in the best possible way.
d. To aid navigation

 NUST Institute of Civil Engineering


Map Projection

Flat Map
Cartesian coordinates: x,y
(Easting & Northing)

Curved Earth
Geographic coordinates: , 
(Latitude & Longitude)
Qualities Required of a Projection

[Link] of Scale

[Link] of Area

[Link] of Shape (Conformality)

[Link] of bearing
CLASSIFICATION OF PROJECTIONS

a. Cylindrical Equatorial, Oblique, Transverse.

b. Conical Normal, Oblique.

c. Azimuthal Polar(Normal), Oblique, Equatorial

d. Conventional or Natural. (Not based on any developable surface)


Types of Projections
Visualize a light shining through the
Earth onto a surface
Source: Longley et al. 2001
Cylindrical Projections

Normal - equatorial / East-West


Transverse - North-South regions
Oblique - other angles
Secant Map
Projection
In this example the cylindrical
surface used for the map
“cuts” the globe at the map’s
representative fraction. Along
this line there is distortion free
mapping of the geographic
space.
Conic Projections
(Albers, Lambert)
Planar or Azimuthal
(Lambert)
CONVENTIONAL OR NATURAL
 individual or unique projections – can not be easily related to one of the
three developable geometric forms

Goode’s Projection
Robinson Projection --
a compromise projection
Sanson-Flamsteed
Hammer
SCALE FACTOR
The amount by which the ratio of a distance on the
projection to the corresponding distance on the ellipsoid
deviates from 1:1 is described as the scale factor:-

Scale factor = Length on Projection


Length on Ellipsoid
Conical projection

PARALLELS
CONCENTRIc
CIRCULAR
ARCS

MERIDIANS
RADIATING
STRAIGHT
LINES

TANGENT CONE

SECANT CONE
SCALE FACTOR
VARIATION
S.F.(P) S.F.(P)

1.0004 1.0004
1.0
1.0

1.0004 0.9996

1.0

1.0004
DISTORTIONS IN MAPS DUE TO PROJECTIONS

Projecting Earth’s surface always


involves distortion:
shape

area

distance

direction
UNDERSTANDING DISTORTION
 Map projections produce distortion in one or more spatial properties:
Shape, area, distance and direction
 Specific projections eliminate or minimize distortion of certain properties

Robinson

Macerator

Hammer Aitoff Azimuthal

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