One of the four models discussed in the lesson is the Mercator Projection. The Mercator Projection is a cylindrical map projection that preserves straight lines and angles, making it useful for navigation purposes.
One of the main benefits of the Mercator Projection is its ability to accurately represent the shape and direction of landmasses. The straight lines and angles on the map allow navigators to easily plot their courses using compass bearings, providing a reliable tool for navigation across long distances. Additionally, it accurately portrays the relative sizes of landmasses near the equator, which can be useful for understanding the global distribution of land.
However, the Mercator Projection has been criticized for its distortion of size and shape as one moves away from the equator. This leads to an exaggerated size of landmasses near the poles, making them appear much larger than they actually are. For example, Greenland looks almost as large as Africa on a Mercator map, despite being only a fraction of its size. This distortion has led to accusations of Eurocentrism, as it visually emphasizes the importance of Europe and the Northern Hemisphere.
Despite these criticisms, the Mercator Projection has a distinct utility for navigation purposes and certain applications. Its preservation of straight lines and angles makes it ideal for understanding and plotting courses across long distances. Additionally, its ability to accurately represent the shape of landmasses near the equator can be useful for general reference and understanding global land distribution patterns. However, if the purpose of the map is to accurately portray the sizes of landmasses or encourage a more balanced perspective, the Mercator Projection might not be the best choice. The net utility of the model depends on the specific use case and priorities of the map user.
Choose one of the four models discussed in the lesson (models being geographical maps) and explain the benefits and drawbacks of using the model. In your answer consider these points:
What does the model explain?
What criticisms are made of the model?
What is the net utility of the model based on those points?
1 answer