GEOM 4 (Jan 20th)

Map Projection

The systematic transformation of locations on the Earth (latitude/longitude) to planar coordinates.

Conformal Projection

A type of map projection that preserves shape and angles while distorting area.

Equivalent Projection

A type of map projection that preserves area, ensuring that regions on the map have the same proportional relationships as areas on the Earth.

Equidistant

A type of map projection that preserves the distance between certain points or land masses

Latitude

The angle between a point on the Earth's surface and the equator, measured in degrees.

Longitude

The angle between a point on the Earth's surface and the prime meridian, measured in degrees.

Cartesian Coordinate System

A spatial representation system using three axes (X, Y, and Z) to plot points in three-dimensional space.

Map Distortion

The inaccuracies that can occur in scale, area, distance, and direction when representing a curved surface on flat maps.

Conic Projection

Best for mid-latitude regions, where the curvature of the Earth is minimized

• Projects into cone, used for continental representaion

Cylindrical Projection

Useful for global maps, but can distort size and shape near the poles.

• Projects onto cylinder

• preserves angles, distorts shapes

Azimuthal Projection

Preserves direction and is typically used for polar projections

• Projects spherical surface onto plane

GPS (Global Positioning System)

A navigation system that uses satellite signals to determine the exact location of a device on Earth.