Historical Maps And Cartography Questions
Map projection distortion refers to the inherent distortion that occurs when representing the three-dimensional surface of the Earth on a two-dimensional map. This distortion arises because it is impossible to accurately represent the curved surface of the Earth on a flat surface without some form of distortion. Different map projections attempt to minimize certain types of distortion, such as shape, area, distance, or direction, but it is impossible to eliminate all types of distortion simultaneously. Therefore, map projections involve trade-offs and compromises in order to create a useful representation of the Earth's surface.