Robinson Projection

Definition

The Robinson Projection is a map projection that visually represents the world in a way that minimizes distortion of area, shape, distance, and direction. It provides a more balanced view of the Earth's surface, making it popular for world maps in classrooms and publications, as it presents a compromise between different types of distortions found in other projections.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Robinson Projection was developed by Arthur H. Robinson in 1963 as a compromise between various projection types, attempting to provide an aesthetically pleasing representation of the Earth.
2. Unlike the Mercator Projection, which greatly distorts sizes at high latitudes, the Robinson Projection maintains more accurate area relationships across different regions.
3. The projection is commonly used for thematic maps, especially in educational settings, because it offers a visually appealing and relatively accurate depiction of global geography.
4. While it does reduce distortion overall, the Robinson Projection does not eliminate it entirely; certain areas may still appear elongated or compressed compared to their actual dimensions.
5. The Robinson Projection is not conformal or equal-area; instead, it focuses on creating a visually balanced representation rather than preserving any specific property like shape or size.

Review Questions

• How does the Robinson Projection compare to the Mercator Projection in terms of distortion and usability?
  • The Robinson Projection minimizes distortion across various dimensions such as area and shape compared to the Mercator Projection, which significantly distorts sizes at high latitudes. While the Mercator is useful for navigation due to its preservation of angles, the Robinson Projection is favored for thematic and educational maps because it provides a more accurate and visually appealing representation of global geography. The Robinson's ability to balance distortions makes it more suitable for general use where overall understanding of spatial relationships is important.
• Discuss the impact of using different map projections like the Robinson Projection on our understanding of world geography.
  • Using different map projections can greatly influence our understanding of world geography by altering our perception of relative sizes and distances between regions. The Robinson Projection presents a compromise by offering a more aesthetically pleasing and balanced view of the Earth, allowing people to appreciate geographic relationships without being misled by extreme distortions. This projection helps learners visualize continents and countries in a more realistic context, fostering a better grasp of global interconnections and spatial dynamics.
• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using the Robinson Projection in contemporary cartography and education.
  • The advantages of the Robinson Projection include its visually appealing design and reduced distortion across multiple dimensions, making it effective for educational purposes and thematic mapping. However, its disadvantages lie in the fact that it does not preserve specific properties such as conformality or equal-area representation, potentially misleading users regarding area proportions. In contemporary cartography, while it serves well for general purposes and introductory education, users must be aware of its limitations when precision is critical, such as in land-use planning or navigation.

Related terms

Map Projection: A systematic method of transferring the curved surface of the Earth onto a flat surface, which always introduces some form of distortion.

Distortion: The alteration of the original shape, area, distance, or direction of geographical features when they are represented on a map.

Pseudocylindrical Projection: A type of map projection that displays the globe in a cylindrical shape but adjusts to minimize distortion across the central meridian and parallels.