Questions and Answers
What is a map projection?
A systematic projection of all or part of the surface of a round body, especially Earth, on a plane.
Which of the following is not a classification of map projections based on the developable surface?
What type of projection is the Mercator projection?
What are the variants of map projections based on aspect?
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Conformality in map projections means that the shapes of small features on the Earth are distorted.
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What does equivalence mean in map projections?
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Study Notes
Map Projections
- Map projections transform the spherical Earth surface onto a flat plane, utilizing mathematical methods.
- Different map projections correspond to various developable surfaces: Cylindrical, Conical, and Planar/Azimuthal.
Classifications of Map Projections
- Cylindrical Projections: Extend from the Equator and are best for navigation; e.g., Mercator Projection.
- Conical Projections: Suitable for mid-latitude regions; preserve shapes over small areas.
- Planar/Azimuthal Projections: Useful for specific points; project the surface from a singular viewpoint.
Variants of Map Projections
- Variants include different perspectives and applications like Normal, Transverse, and Oblique aspects that influence how maps present geographic information.
- Viewpoints of projections can drastically change the representation of regions on the map.
Properties of Map Projections
- Conformality: Preserves shapes of small features. Useful for navigation as scale and direction remain true over small areas.
- Equivalence (Equal Area): Maintains proportional area representation, useful in area calculations and statistical mapping.
- Equidistance: Retains scale over specific lines or points, enabling accurate distance measurement from designated locations, as seen in Equidistant Cylindrical projections.
Geographic to Grid Conversion
- Involves systematic processes to transform geographic coordinates into grid coordinates.
- Critical for various applications like GPS technology.
Grid to Geographic Conversion
- The reverse process of converting grid coordinates back to geographic positions.
- Essential for mapping services and location-based applications.
Meridian Convergence
- Describes how meridians converge toward the poles, affecting distance and direction on maps.
- Important for understanding distortion in map projection, especially near polar regions.
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Description
Prepare for the GE Board Examination in Cartography with a focus on map projections, coordinate conversion, and meridian convergence. This quiz covers definitions, classifications, and processes relevant to geographic and grid systems, supporting your understanding of fundamental cartographic principles.
