How Do Map Projections Distort Earth's Surface?
ES0301  Map Projections
Maps can be created using several different projection methods. Each map projection has unique properties that make it useful for displaying specific regions on Earth.
Mercator
Sinusoidal
Robinson
Peters
Miller
Orthographic
Carla McAuliffe, TERC with data from ESRI
World maps created with different projections.
Some map projections preserve distance. That is, distances on the map are scaled accurately to the same distance on Earth. Other projections portray area accurately—the shapes of landmasses shown are similar to their actual shapes.

4. In which projection does Antarctica appear disproportionately large?

5. In which projection does Asia appear disproportionately large? 



	

 	

		
			
	

	
	

		 
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