Name:______________________________________________
SKILLS
PRACTICE
CHAPTER 1
Date:___________________
COMPARING MAP PROJECTIONS
Cartographers use map projections to draw the earth’s curved surface on
a flat surface. Each type of map projection, however, produces some
distortion of distance, shape, or direction. Compare the three map
projections below. Then match the map projections with the statements
that follow. Write R if a statement describes the Robinson projection, G
if it describes the Goode’s Interrupted projection, and L if it describes the
Lambert Azimuthal projection. (2 points each)
GOODE’S INTERRUPTED PROJECTION
LAMBERT AZIMUTHAL PROJECTION
ROBINSON PROJECTION
___ 1. This projection shows direction along the lines of latitude and longitude; a directional indicator
cannot be used on this map.
___ 2. This equal-area projection shows how continents compare in size, but shapes are distorted near
the poles of the map.
___ 3. In this projection, the oceans have been “split apart” so that the shape and size of the land can be
more accurately shown.
___ 4. In this projection, the North Pole and South Pole are represented as straight, horizontal lines.
___ 5. This projection is often used to map the polar regions.