What does the Goode Homolosine projection distort?

The Goode Homolosine Projection: A Map That Tries Really Hard (and Mostly Succeeds)

Okay, so you’re looking at a world map. Ever wonder how mapmakers manage to flatten our round planet onto a rectangle without totally mangling things? That’s where map projections come in, and the Goode Homolosine is one of the cleverest.

John Paul Goode cooked up this projection back in 1923, and it’s a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster of mapmaking. It’s what they call “equal-area,” meaning it shows the correct relative sizes of countries and continents. This is super important when you’re mapping stuff like population or resources, because you don’t want to accidentally make Canada look bigger than Africa!

But here’s the catch, and there’s always a catch with maps: to get those areas right, the Goode Homolosine has to play fast and loose with other things. Think of it like stretching a balloon – you can flatten it, but the shapes get weird, right?

Shape is the first casualty. Look at Antarctica on a Goode Homolosine map. It’s often stretched out like pizza dough. Greenland, too, can look a bit…off. It’s not a deal-breaker, but definitely something to keep in mind.

Then there’s distance. Forget about accurately measuring how far it is from, say, London to Tokyo on this map. Only distances along the central lines of each section (or “lobe”) and the equator are even close to correct. Try measuring anything else, and you’re entering the realm of fantasy.

Direction? Yeah, that’s distorted too. Only along those same central lines and the equator will your compass point you true. Try navigating with this map, and you might end up somewhere very unexpected.

And here’s the kicker: the Goode Homolosine is interrupted. It’s like someone took scissors to the oceans to make the land look better. This is why you see those odd gaps. It’s a clever trick to keep the continents looking relatively normal, but it makes it a pain if you’re trying to study ocean currents or plan a sea voyage.

So, why bother with this weird, chopped-up map at all? Because area matters! If you’re trying to show how much of the world’s rainforest has been destroyed, or where the most people live, accurate area is crucial. The Goode Homolosine shines for these “thematic maps,” where getting the proportions right is more important than pinpoint accuracy in shape or navigation.

Think about it: if you’re comparing the sizes of different regions, you want to be sure your eyes aren’t being tricked. The Goode Homolosine makes sure a small country doesn’t look huge, and vice-versa.

I’ve seen this map used a lot in environmental reports, showing everything from climate zones to land use. It’s a workhorse for anyone trying to present global data fairly.

In short, the Goode Homolosine projection is a bit like that friend who’s great at one thing but kind of a mess at everything else. It nails area, but you have to forgive its quirks with shape, distance, direction, and those bizarre interruptions. Just remember what it’s good at, and use it wisely! There are other maps for other purposes, after all.