Junior Scholastic, March 28th, 2003
What does the Earth really look like? The maps on these pages show three different drawings of the world. Why are these maps so different from each other? It's a question of perspective, or viewpoint.
It is impossible to show the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map with complete accuracy. For centuries, cartographers (mapmakers) have been devising different projections (ways of showing a curved surface on a flat sheet of paper). Most map projections look very different from each other, but they all have one thing in common: Each distorts the shape or size of land areas.
Here are thre...
HighBeam Research, Free Preview: 'Map projection. (Geoskills).'... Full Membership required for unlimited access. Free 7-day trial.
Subscribers: HighBeam content is only available to HighBeam subscribers. Click the link above for more information.
