<P> However , Carl Friedrich Gauss 's Theorema Egregium proved that a sphere 's surface can not be represented on a plane without distortion . The same applies to other reference surfaces used as models for the Earth . Since any map projection is a representation of one of those surfaces on a plane , all map projections distort . Every distinct map projection distorts in a distinct way . The study of map projections is the characterization of these distortions . </P>
<P> However , Carl Friedrich Gauss 's Theorema Egregium proved that a sphere 's surface can not be represented on a plane without distortion . The same applies to other reference surfaces used as models for the Earth . Since any map projection is a representation of one of those surfaces on a plane , all map projections distort . Every distinct map projection distorts in a distinct way . The study of map projections is the characterization of these distortions . </P>
what does it mean when a map projection distorts the earth
what does it mean when a map projection distorts the earth
Theorema Egregium
Theorema Egregium