Why Straight Lines on a Map are not so Straight in Reality?

Introduction

James is a published author with four pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary. As a science website, we often get caught up in the complexities of the universe and forget the basic concepts. Our readers, who belong to diverse backgrounds, sometimes struggle with simple concepts such as why does flying against the planet’s rotation not decrease flight times or why we can’t power our trucks with magnets. Lately, people are even questioning the straight lines on a map and if they’re actually straight or not. In this article, we aim to discuss the reason behind such a phenomenon and explain why straight lines on a map are not so straight in reality.

The Mercator Projection

The world map that we are familiar with is one based on the Mercator projection, published by cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569. It’s a cylindrical map projection, in which you visualize the globe as a cylinder and then project each point of the map onto the corresponding point on the cylinder. This projection became popular as it was useful for navigation since it represents courses of constant bearing as straight segments, which means ships need to correct their course for the curvature of the Earth less frequently. However, it also results in distortions of size and shape, i.e., the landmasses are shown larger or smaller than they are in reality.

Meridians and Circles of Latitude

In cylindrical maps – as is the case with the Mercator projection – meridians (imaginary vertical lines going through Earth from the North to the South Pole) are mapped onto vertical lines that are equally spaced apart on the map, and circles of latitude (imaginary horizontal lines from east to west) are mapped onto equally spaced horizontal lines.

Distortions in Size and Shape

The Mercator projection is good for navigation because it shows courses of constant bearings as straight lines. However, it also results in distortions of size and shape. In cylindrical maps – as is the case with the Mercator projection – areas around the equator remain roughly accurate, but the further you move from the equator, the more distorted and inflated landmasses become. In short, straight lines that don’t follow one line of latitude or longitude on a globe do not necessarily appear as straight lines on a flat map.

Representing a 3D world on a 2D map

Representing a three-dimensional world on a two-dimensional map will always end up with some issues and some compromises. No matter how accurate you try to make it, you will end up with stretched areas, squashed countries, or else parts of the map cut out altogether.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the straight lines on a map are not always straight in reality due to the distortions caused in the Mercator projection. If you wanted to travel to India from the USA, you wouldn’t have to do much steering. We hope this article resolves the ambiguity and makes it easier for our readers to understand the concept of straight lines on a map.

Originally Post From https://www.iflscience.com/people-are-confused-how-you-can-sail-from-the-usa-to-india-in-a-straight-line-74488

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