Cairo University

Faculty of Graduate Studies for

Statistical Research

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 Geographic Coordinate
System (GCS) - 1
 These latitude (parallel) and longitude (meridian) lines
encompass the globe and form a geographic coordinates
system (GCS).
 The GCS is the reference system for locating spatial
features on the Earth’s surface.

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Geographic Coordinate
System (GCS) - 2

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 Geographic Coordinate
System (GCS) - 3
 Working with a three-dimensional
surface and making measurements
and calculations are not easy and
not accurate.
 The lines of longitude converge at
the poles.
 1⁰ of longitude at the equator ≠ 1⁰ of
longitude near the poles.
 We need a way to convert the curved
surface of the Earth to a flat plane. 4
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Projected Coordinates Systems - 1
 Map Projection is the mathematical process by which
geographic locations are transformed from the
earth’s surface to a flat surface.

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Projected Coordinates Systems - 2

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 Map Projection - 1
 It is a systematic arrangement of parallels and
meridians on a flat surface representing the
geographic coordinates system.
 Angular measurements can be converted to
Cartesian coordinates.

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 Map Projection - 2

 X values are equivalent to latitudes values.

 Y values are equivalent to longitudes values.
 The origin is where the values of X and Y are equal to 0.
 X values are positive in east direction and negative in
west one.
 Y values are positive in north direction and negative in
south one.
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Map Projection - 3

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Map Projection - 4

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Representations of Earth -1

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Representations of Earth -2

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Representations of Earth -3

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Representations of Earth -4

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Representations of Earth -5

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Representations of Earth -6

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Representations of Earth -7

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Representations of Earth -8

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Map Projection - 4

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Geodetic Datum - 1

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Geodetic Datum - 2

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Geodetic Datum - 3

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Geodetic Datum - 4

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Geodetic Datum - 5

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Geodetic Datum - 6

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Geodetic Datum - 7

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Geodetic Datum - 8

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Map Projection - 5

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Coordinate System - 1

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Coordinate System - 2

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Coordinate System - 3

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Coordinate System - 4

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Coordinate System - 5

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Coordinate System - 6

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Map Projection - 6

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Distortions - 1
 Now, we don't get this translation of our data to a 2D
surface for free, there are trade offs.
 When we project geospatial data, we end up
creating distortions.

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Distortions - 2
 Try to imagine flattening a football
on the ground.
 Cut it into completely two halves.
 Set the cut side on the ground.
 The half of the ball sticks up off the
ground but not completely flatten
against the ground.
 we need to stretch and distort it in
order to get it completely flat.
 This set of stretches and distortions
is what a projection is. 39
Distortions - 3
 Map projections distort at least one of the following:
 Shape
 Area
 Distance
 Direction

 Different projections are created to optimize for

these distortions.
 Different projections also optimize these attributes
for different locations on the earth, and others do it
for the entire earth.
 This is why hundreds of map projections have been
developed for mapmaking. 40
Types of Map Projections
 Map projections can be grouped by:
1. The preserved property
2. The projection surface

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 Preserved Property
 Map projections by the preserved property (shape, area,
distance) can be:
1. Equivalence (Equal-Area) projection (Area)

2. Conformality (Equal-Angle) projection (Shape)

3. Distance (Equidistant) projection (Distance)

4. Azimuthal projection (Direction)

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Map Projection - 8

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Map Projection - 9

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Map Projection - 10

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Map Projection - 11

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 Equal Area Projections
 They preserve the area of displayed features.

 To do this, the other properties, like shape, are distorted.

 Mollweide projection is an instance of an Equal area projection.

 Note that Greenland is it's appropriate size relative to Africa, but

we've distorted the shape of all of these locations in order to get
the appropriate areas.

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 Conformal Projections
 They preserve shape.
 Mercator projection is an instance
of a conformal projection.
 This projection preserving shapes
sacrificing sizes.
 In this projection, Greenland is
about as big as Africa, much,
much larger than it should be.

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 Equidistant Projections
 Equidistant maps preserve the distances between
certain points..
 Keep in mind that no projection is equidistant to and
from all points on a map.

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Azimuthal Projections

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Which Map Projection?
 Depending on the work that you're doing, you will
find yourself needing different projections.
 A population map of the world should be based on
an equal area projection.
 By representing areas in correct size, the population
map can create a correct impression of population
densities.

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 The Projection Surface
 Many common map projections
are classified according to the
projection surface used.
 Planar
 (projecting the surface of the
earth on a plane)
 Conical
 (projecting the surface of the
earth on a cone)
 Cylindrical
 (projecting the surface of the
earth on a cylinder) 52
 Planar Projections
 The area of least
distortion occurs where
the projection plane
touches the model of the
Earth.
 Good for specific
locations.
 Good for projecting the
poles.

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 Cylindrical Projections
 Either touches the ground vertically or transversely
or diagonally.
 Good for projecting the entire surface of the earth.
 Good for N-S extend area.
 Many projections are not related as easily to a plane,
cone, or cylinder

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Common Map Projections
 Mercator Projection is one of the oldest and most
common Projection.
 It uses the cylindrical projection method.
 This projection is useful for showing the entire Earth
on a flat sheet of paper, but is rather inaccurate.
 Locations at the equator are correct, but the map
becomes more distorted as one moves to the north
and south poles.

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 Universal Transverse Mercator
(UTM) - 1
 As a result the distortions in the maps are greater,
the Universal Transverse Mercator or (UTM) tries to
account for this.
 It divides the earth into 60 zones, of the same size.
 Each zone has its own central meridian that is
located at exactly the middle of the zone.
 Each zone covers 6⁰ of longitudes.
 3⁰ on each side of the zone’s central meridian.
 Meter is the unit of measure. 57
Universal Transverse Mercator - 2

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