Lab Assignment #4 Projections

Map projections are confusing by nature. Before this class I did not realize that all the maps I had seen up until this point in my life have just been projections - and not completely accurate. Before knowing this, I would've thought that all standard maps are the same, they are just different in terms of point of focus. Realizing that there are many different projections adds an interesting step to the mapping process. Most of the time it seems like we aren't even sure (or don't spend the time to find out) what map projection we are actually using.

It is definitely apparent that different map projections are used to dramatize specific areas. This is why there are map projections for specific countries and regions. Some map projections are so far out there it makes other countries look ridiculously small or large {see the Africa Lambert Conformal Conic Projection). Other projections appear to be somewhat 3D, but remain 2D (US National Atlas Equal Area Projection). It is clearly evident that the most important country/area displayed in a projection (Africa, US, etc..) is shown in the middle of the map - probably because that is the eye's main point of focus.

When fiddling through the different ways to measure, it was apparent that the distance fluctuated greatly. However when I changed the graticule from about 2,3 to 30,30 it didn't change the distance at all. My guess to this would be changing the graticules doesn't change the projection, it just changes the size of the map? Therefore the distance would remain the same.

Similar to my experience, it is easy to form a misconception by looking at a single projection for a long period of time, without the knowledge that there are different projections. This may cause confusion about the nature of new projections. Indeed, some are pretty ridiculous, one in particular is the Bonne projection shown above. One wouldn't normally think of the world in a heart shape, nor care to view a map this way. But this is just one way someone (I'm assuming Bonne) chose to view the 3D world in 2D.