Mapping a three dimensional sphere onto a two dimensional surface is a challenge. Due to Earth's spherical properties, distortions are unavoidable. Different map types focus on alleviating certain distortions based on the certain uses of the map. For example, an equidistant map allows for little to no distortions in the distances on the map; however, the size of countries may be distorted. Although accuracy in map projections is not one hundred percent, map projections are essential for spatial awareness in this world.
Map projections allow for humans to be aware of their location on the world's surface. Before the world was mapped, people were uniformed of the surface on the earth and what the world consisted of beyond their scopic regime. Map projections allow for awareness of spatial positioning. Many conformal maps contain country size distortion, but they allow for humans to see the shape of the world all at one time.
Map projections also create a means of travel because of this spatial awareness. With the increase of technology, map projections became a necessary advancement because people began traveling larger distances. The importance of a map projection became needed with the invention of airplanes. An equidistant map projection will allow for an airplane to fly certain distances with accuracy; however, a conformal map projection would cause massive accidents. Map projections are important for spatial awareness in this world and indispensable to the success of air travel.
Equal area map projections maintain the accurate size of countries on the world's surface. These are important for power relations and seeing the land area that each country contains. Although distortions are unavoidable, mapping the earth's surface is necessary in a modern world. Humans are able to obtain spatial awareness and learn of what the world consists. Without map projections, the world would be an unknown area.
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