What are the four types of map projections?

Mercator Projection : longitude and latitude as straight, parallel lines

Conic Projection : a circular map made from a flattened cone, centered on a pole or other point

Gall-Peters Projection : relocates standard parallels, narrows longitudinal spacing

Robinson Projection : approximates a true spherical view of the Earth, except the poles

Winkel Tripel Projection : an azimuth approximation of the world view, similar to Robinson

The most widely used is the Mercator projection, the major disadvantage being its area expansions (areas closer to the poles appear larger and lack their true shapes). The Gall-Peters Projection provides a closer approximation of the relative areas. All flat representations of a spherical surface will create variances in "true" size or shape.

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