There are several types of map projections that are used to represent the spherical Earth on a flat surface. All map projections involve some degree of distortion of shapes, sizes, or distances. The Mercator projection increasingly distorts distances the farther one moves from the equator, while the Robinson and Goode's interrupted projections aim to minimize distortion of landmasses. Other map features discussed include hemispheres, latitude and longitude grid systems, directions, scales, and different types of thematic maps.

1. Geography Skills Notes

2. Globes and Map Projections Projection: a way of showing the earth on a flat surface.

3. Distortion A bending or twisting out of shape Map are distorted by their size, shape, or distance

4. Cartography The science of producing maps Cartographers make maps

5. Mercator Projection the landforms on this map become increasingly distorted the farther you get from the equator. Compare the size and shape of Greenland and Antarctica on this map to those landforms on a globe; the distortion will be obvious.

6. Robinson Projection It combines the good parts of several other map projections, resulting in minimal distortion of most of the Earth's land masses.

7. Goode’s Interrupted Projection Goode's interrupted homolosine projection, as shown here, reduces distortion but breaks the oceans and Antarctica into pieces. This is an equal-area map because it minimizes distortion in the size of the landforms.

8. Conic Projection Latitude lines are curved on this kind of map.

9. Gall-Peters Projection Latitude and longitude lines are shown as straight lines lines that cross at right angles Sizes are accurate Shapes and distances are not correct

10. Hemispheres Half of a globe

11. Latitude: lines that run east and west, but measure north and south

12. Longitude: lines that run north and south, but measure east and west

13. Grid System Lines placed on a map in a definite pattern

14. Absolute Location using latitude and longitude gives you an exact position on the globe X

15. Great Circle route The shortest a globe may not be a straight line.

16. Key or legend: tells what the symbols on the map mean

17. Direction a figure on the map or globe that indicates north (Compass Rose)

18. Scale: Scale is the size of the area on the earth p. 269

19. Time: the measure of the earth’s movements, on its own axis and around the sun

20. Equator 0  latitude

21. Prime Meridian: 0  longitude line that runs from the north pole to the south pole

22. Different types of Maps Political Map: shows location of countries, states, and provinces and boundary lines separation governments Physical Map: shows physical features of an area Mountains, plains, valleys, etc Economic map: can see that locations of natural resources, industrial areas, farmlands, and fishing areas Travel or transportation map: also known as a road map Shows roads, airports, etc.