Map Projections Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Map Projection Types

Study Notes

Geographic Coordinate System

Both longitude and latitude have 3 components: degrees, minutes, and seconds.

Conversion Factors

1 degree is equal to 60 minutes for both longitude and latitude.
1 minute is equal to 60 seconds for both longitude and latitude.

National Geographic Society Coordinates

The latitude of the National Geographic Society is 38.8953° in decimal form.
The longitude of the National Geographic Society is -77.0365° in decimal form.

Coordinate Plane Projection

The Mercator projection is used to transfer longitude and latitude onto an x-y coordinate plane.
On the Cartesian coordinate plane, longitude is represented on the x-axis and latitude is represented on the y-axis.
The Cartesian coordinate plane projection of the National Geographic Society is (x, y) = (-77.0365, 38.8953).

Purpose and Function

The purpose of the geographic coordinate system is to provide a unique set of coordinates to identify any location on the Earth's surface.
Latitude measures the distance north or south of the equator, ranging from 0° to 90° in both directions.
Longitude indicates the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, ranging from 0° to 180° in both directions.

Map Projection Challenges

It is impossible to create a perfectly flat map of the earth without gaps or tears because the Earth is a sphere, and a sphere cannot be projected onto a flat surface without distortion.

Geographic Coordinate System Properties

The maximum value for longitude is 180°.
The equator represents 0° latitude.
The geographic coordinate system accounts for the curvature of the earth by using a 3D coordinate system to define locations on the Earth's surface.

Description

Test your knowledge of map projections and the challenges of representing the spherical Earth on flat maps in this quiz. Explore different methods of flattening the Earth and understand the distortions that can occur in map projections.