Understanding map projections

E. Lynn Usery

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USGS · 70160593

Understanding map projections

E. Lynn Usery

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Abstract

It has probably never been more important in the history of cartography than now that people understand how maps work. With increasing globalization, for example, world maps provide a key format for the transmission of information, but are often poorly used. Examples of poor understanding and use of projections and the resultant maps are many; for instance, the use of rectangular world maps in the United Kingdom press to show Chinese and Korean missile ranges as circles, something which can only be achieved on equidistant projections and then only from one launch point (Vujakovic, 2014).

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E. Lynn Usery. 2018. Understanding map projections. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70160593

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