Globes - Strengths

• Shapes are distorted

• A way to show Earth on a flat surface

• Not practical, cannot show enough detail, hard to carry around

• Same shape as Earth, shows continents accurately

Globes - Weaknesses

• Has some distortions, especially on the edges

• Same shape as Earth, shows continents accurately

• Not practical, cannot show enough detail, hard to carry around

• Maps Earth on a flat surface

Definition of Scale

• Relative Size

• Loss of accuracy

• A way of mapping Earth on a flat surface

• A diagram showing directions

Computer based system that links information to locations

• Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Projection
• Special Purpose Map

Projection

• A way of mapping Earth on a flat surface

• Loss of accuracy

• Relative size

• Putting Earth on a round shape

Distortion

• A way of mapping Earth on a flat surface

• Loss of accuracy

• Relative size

• Explains symbols and color on the map

Why do all maps have distortion?

• The Earth is a sphere and maps are flat
• The Earth is flat and maps are round
• Mapmakers don't always have all the information they need to make a map
• Technology hasn't always been around to make maps with

Mercator - Strengths

• Shows the correct size of landmasses

• Shows correct shapes and directions

• Not true distances or sizes

• Same shape as Earth

Mercator - Weaknesses

• Shows correct shapes and directions

• Not true distances or sizes, especially near the poles

• Shapes are distorted

• It is not useful for sailors

Shows the correct size of landmasses

• Mercator - Weaknesses
• Equal Area - Weaknesses
• Mercator - Stengths
• Equal Area - Strengths