Читать книгу Geography For Dummies - Jerry T. Mitchell - Страница 84

If you are a veteran map-gawker, you know that all world maps don’t look the same. And if you’re not, then look again at Figures 4-2 and 4-3. Figure 4-2 looks something like a rectangle, shows the entire Earth, and is centered on the intersection of the Equator and Prime Meridian. Figure 4-3 is a circle, shows only the Northern Hemisphere, and is centered on the North Pole. As mentioned earlier, the two maps offer contrasts with respect to the ways maps lie: distance, direction, shape, and size.

The appearances in the maps differ because of different kinds of projections. That is, the maps are products of different methods of transferring the curved globe to a flat surface. Over the years, cartographers have developed literally dozens of different projections. Most maps are accurate and/or visually pleasing in some respects, although inaccurate or visually displeasing in other respects.

At this point, you may feel like saying, “Look, Jerry, why don’t you spare me the details? Just tell me which projection is the best one so we can move on to the next chapter.” I wish it were that simple; I really do. But the simple fact is that a winning projection doesn’t exist. Every projection has good points and bad points. The trick is to know the pluses and minuses of particular projections so that choosing the best map for specific purposes is easier. It really is a case of different strokes for different folks, or at least different projections for specific situations.

If you’re starting to think that this is a somewhat arcane field of study, well, you’re right. As a new geographer, you don’t need to commit map projections to memory. (I know several professors of geography who don’t go near this stuff!) What is important, however, is that you appreciate the variety and complexity of map projections and understand that even though all flat maps lie, some do a pretty good job of showing all or part of Earth.