Maps and Globes

Introduction

• Maps and globes are two examples of representations that people have used to show what the Earth looks like.
• It is said that the first known maps were drawn on cave walls.
• Today, technology is used to make maps. 
    * This allows them to be more detailed and accurate.
    * As technology continues to get better, so do maps and globes.
• Maps and globes allow you to see where you are in relation to other physical features found on the planet.

Globes

• 3-d representation of Earth
• Most accurate because it is a sphere and so it has very few distortions.
• They are meant to represent Earth from space, which is why you can only see part of it at a time.
• Globes rotate the same as Earth
• All globes are world maps
• Even though they have few distortions it is hard to see areas in detail because they must be the whole world and can not focus on one area.
• They are also bulky and awkward to hold.

Maps

• Easy to carry.
• 2-d representation of Earth as a whole or of a certain area.
• They are based on scale and drawn on a flat surface which causes distortions.
• Cartographers are trying to limit distortions with map projections to synthesize the round surface.

Projections

• Projections transfer the roundness of the earth onto a flat map
• Uses a grid based on longitude and latitude.

Robinson Projection

• It is oval-shaped causing the countries near the equator to be accurate but less so toward the poles.

Mercator Projection

• Parallels and meridians appear as straight lines which means it shows direction more accurately but has huge distortions toward the poles

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