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They distort the surface because they are flat, while the surface is not.

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Q: Why do flat maps distort Earth's surface?
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Related questions

What are some advantages of using a globe to show earths surface?

One advantage to using a globe is that you can more accurately determine distances than you can with a flat map. Flat maps distort the spherical surface and that distortion can be significant over long distances.


What properties do flat maps distort?

Since the world is round, flat maps (rectangular maps) distort the sizes of continents by making them larger than they actually are.


What properties do maps distort?

Since the world is round, flat maps (rectangular maps) distort the sizes of continents by making them larger than they actually are.


How do mercator maps distort the view of earths surface?

The Mercator projection used for maps distorts the size and shape of large objects as the scale increases from the Equator to the poles where it becomes infinite. Whereas areas near the equator have little or no distortion, a latitude greater than 70 degrees has too much distortion to be useful.


What are the advantages of using a globe show the earth surface?

One advantage to using a globe is that you can more accurately determine distances than you can with a flat map. Flat maps distort the spherical surface and that distortion can be significant over long distances.


All flat maps are projections that must distort at least one what properties?

yes


Does all map of earth distort the shapes and sizes of landmasses?

All flat maps do, globes do not.


Why are there curved lines of latitude on an atlas?

The surface of the earth is the outside of a sphere, whereas the pages of an atlas are flat. Right there, you have the fundamental problem common to all maps ... how best to represent a curved surface on a flat picture. The answer is: In order to select one characteristic to depict accurately, you have to distort most everything else.


All flat maps are projections that must distort at least one what properties distance shape size and what else?

DIRECTION


What is way to map an earth on a flat surface?

Maps


Why do geographers use a variety of tools to represent the world?

One advantage to using a globe is that you can more accurately determine distances than you can with a flat map. Flat maps distort the spherical surface and that distortion can be significant over long distances.


Why do flat maps have distortions?

because there has to be some kind of distortion of earths spherical shape