map projections Archives - Geography Realm

Tissot's indicatrix for the Mercator map projection. Image: Stefan Kühn CC BY 2.0

Tissot’s Indicatrix: Measuring Distortion in Map Projections

April 30, 2020September 23, 2017 by Elizabeth Borneman

Tissot’s indicatrix is a mathematical contrivance used in cartography to characterize local distortions in map projections.

Stripes of grapefruit are used to demonstrate distortion with map projections in this 1947 film.

Teaching Context When it Comes to Map Projections

March 21, 2017March 21, 2017 by Caitlin Dempsey

Context is needed in teaching about distortion created by different map projections.

Geo Quiz: Which Country is Bigger?

January 11, 2020January 6, 2017 by Caitlin Dempsey

This quiz challenges you to figure out which country is bigger based on a world map using the Mercator map projection.

The Map Projection of the United Nations’ Flag

March 19, 2020November 16, 2016 by Elizabeth Borneman

The United Nations flag with a white map on top of a light blue background, is universally recognized. Learn about the map projection used for the logo.

World map created in 1514 by Oronce Fine (1494–1555) who was one of the first French scholars to work with cartography.

Cordiform: Heart-Shaped Map Projections

January 21, 2018February 10, 2016 by Caitlin Dempsey

Heart shaped map projections are known as cordiform map projections which is derived from the Latin “cor” for heart and form for shape.

The Albers projection is an example of a conic map projection.

Types of Map Projections

August 6, 2019January 5, 2015 by Elizabeth Borneman

Three common types of map projections are cylindrical, conic, and azimuthal.