When you look at a map, you often don't think about the map itself. You just look at it and pull information from it.
But...can you trust maps?
Click the globe to find out.
Let's look at a common map of the world.
Look at the blue countries.
Which country has the largest land area?
Finland
Or
In other words, which country is bigger...
Republic Of The Congo?
Fill out your notesheet.
Let's check your answer.
In a moment you will visit a website.
The 2 countries will now be highlighted.
1. Click "Clear".
4. Click and drag one of the countries to the other one.
2. Type in the name of the first country.
5. Then fill out the chart on your notesheet.
3. Do the same for the second country.
1. Click "Clear".
Which was bigger?
Enter your answer. (No Spaces!)
Let's compare them.
1. Click "Clear".
Which area was larger?
Enter your answer. (No Spaces!)
Let's compare them.
1. Click "Clear".
Which area was larger?
Enter your answer. (No Spaces!)
Have you filled out your notes through question 4?
Enter your answer. (lower case)
Does it make sense yet?
This is 345 miles.
This is 345 miles.
This is 345 miles.
This is 345 miles.
Answer any questions on your notesheet.
What is this called?
This is an example of...
map distortion.
EVERY map has some sort of distortion.
Many maps, like this one, use something called the Mercator projection.
It shows accurate shapes and directions, at the cost of innacurate sizes.
Map Projections
There are hundreds of different....
map projections.
Each has a different purpose. Each has things it shows accurately and things that are distorted.
Can you figure out why EVERY map has some map distortion?
Notice how the latitude and longitude lines all look different in each projection.
Hint 1
Hint 2
Why Are Do All Maps Have Distortion?
Think about the shape of the Earth.
The Earth is an imperfect sphere.
Watch this video to see why trying to make a flat map of a spherical object is difficult.
The Earth is an imperfect ______________. (What shape is the Earth?)
Enter your answer. (No capitalization)
Real World Applications
Watch this video about planes.
If you've ever flown a long distance in a plane, you probably flew in a straight line on the globe, but a "curved" line on the map.
Conclusion
Yes. It's been with you during the entire activity. The best representation of the Earth is a globe!
1. Click "Clear".
CORRECT! It really is a straight line. Because the Earth is a sphere, you can head southwest and eventually end up going northwest! See how the line in this video from Google Earth shows the straight path from Pakistan to Russia without hitting any land. It is the longest straight route via water in the world!
INCORRECT. It really is a straight line. Because the Earth is a sphere, you can head southwest and eventually end up going northwest! See how the line in this video from Google Earth shows the straight path from Pakistan to Russia without hitting any land. It is the longest straight route via water in the world!
HINT!
Hint #1: It isn't very convenient to use.Hint #2: You have seen it a lot in this activity.
Can You Trust Maps?
Brian Rigwald
Created on April 29, 2026
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Transcript
When you look at a map, you often don't think about the map itself. You just look at it and pull information from it.
But...can you trust maps?
Click the globe to find out.
Let's look at a common map of the world.
Look at the blue countries.
Which country has the largest land area?
Finland
Or
In other words, which country is bigger...
Republic Of The Congo?
Fill out your notesheet.
Let's check your answer.
In a moment you will visit a website.
The 2 countries will now be highlighted.
1. Click "Clear".
4. Click and drag one of the countries to the other one.
2. Type in the name of the first country.
5. Then fill out the chart on your notesheet.
3. Do the same for the second country.
1. Click "Clear".
Which was bigger?
Enter your answer. (No Spaces!)
Let's compare them.
1. Click "Clear".
Which area was larger?
Enter your answer. (No Spaces!)
Let's compare them.
1. Click "Clear".
Which area was larger?
Enter your answer. (No Spaces!)
Have you filled out your notes through question 4?
Enter your answer. (lower case)
Does it make sense yet?
This is 345 miles.
This is 345 miles.
This is 345 miles.
This is 345 miles.
Answer any questions on your notesheet.
What is this called?
This is an example of...
map distortion.
EVERY map has some sort of distortion.
Many maps, like this one, use something called the Mercator projection.
It shows accurate shapes and directions, at the cost of innacurate sizes.
Map Projections
There are hundreds of different....
map projections.
Each has a different purpose. Each has things it shows accurately and things that are distorted.
Can you figure out why EVERY map has some map distortion?
Notice how the latitude and longitude lines all look different in each projection.
Hint 1
Hint 2
Why Are Do All Maps Have Distortion?
Think about the shape of the Earth.
The Earth is an imperfect sphere.
Watch this video to see why trying to make a flat map of a spherical object is difficult.
The Earth is an imperfect ______________. (What shape is the Earth?)
Enter your answer. (No capitalization)
Real World Applications
Watch this video about planes.
If you've ever flown a long distance in a plane, you probably flew in a straight line on the globe, but a "curved" line on the map.
Conclusion
Yes. It's been with you during the entire activity. The best representation of the Earth is a globe!
1. Click "Clear".
CORRECT! It really is a straight line. Because the Earth is a sphere, you can head southwest and eventually end up going northwest! See how the line in this video from Google Earth shows the straight path from Pakistan to Russia without hitting any land. It is the longest straight route via water in the world!
INCORRECT. It really is a straight line. Because the Earth is a sphere, you can head southwest and eventually end up going northwest! See how the line in this video from Google Earth shows the straight path from Pakistan to Russia without hitting any land. It is the longest straight route via water in the world!
HINT!
Hint #1: It isn't very convenient to use.Hint #2: You have seen it a lot in this activity.