Map Projections

Map projections route the round Earth onto flat maps by choosing which distortion to manage: area, shape, distance, direction, scale, or local accuracy.

1. Frame 1A round globe turns into a flat public map before size and route tradeoffs appear.
2. Frame 2A projection grid can preserve one property as size, shape, distance, and direction stretch.
3. Frame 3Mercator keeps local angles useful for routes, but high-latitude land appears too large.
4. Frame 4Equal-area maps protect relative size, while shapes bend because the surface still has to stretch.
5. Frame 5The map choice shifts perception when continents, oceans, polar routes, and hazards change scale.
6. Frame 6Watch the purpose: navigation, climate data, classroom display, elections, and emergency maps need different tradeoffs.