MAP PROJECTION TYPES AND RELATED MAPS – VOCABULARY

Vocabulary flashcards covering map projections, map types, and scale concepts drawn from the notes.

Projection

A method for representing Earth's curved surface on a flat map, balancing trade-offs among area, shape, distance, and direction.

Conformal projection

A projection category that preserves local shapes (angles) but may distort size.

Cylindrical projection

A projection where the surface is projected onto a cylinder; commonly used for world maps and can preserve some directions but distort areas at high latitudes.

Equal-area projection

A projection that preserves the relative sizes of areas, reducing distortion of area at the expense of shape.

Robinson projection

A globe-like compromise projection with curved longitude lines and straight latitude lines; directions are true only along parallels and the central meridian; distortion increases away from the equator.

Mercator projection

A projection that preserves direction and is commonly used for navigation; it preserves angles but enlarges areas near the poles.

Gall-Peters projection

An equal-area projection whose advantage is relatively accurate representation of area (size of continents) across the map.

Azimuthal projection

A projection projected from a single point onto a plane; well-suited for polar regions; tends to show only one hemisphere and preserves certain directions while distorting area and shape.

True direction

Direction measured with reference to the north geographic pole; in the notes, Mercator and Gall-Peters are described as showing true direction.

Distortion

Alteration of size, shape, distance, or direction that occurs when the Earth's surface is projected onto a flat map.

Choropleth map

A thematic map that uses shading or patterns to represent data values for predefined geographic areas (e.g., states or counties).

Cartogram

A map in which geographic areas are distorted or resized to reflect a data variable (e.g., population).

Physical map

A map that displays natural features such as landforms, elevations, rivers, and lakes.

Cartographic scale

The ratio relating map distance to ground distance (e.g., 1 inch on the map equals X miles on the ground), often expressed as a representative fraction or graphic scale.