Prepare for the Besavilla Cartography Exam. Use interactive tools like flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to enhance your skills. Get exam ready today!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes the set of lines used as the basis for plotting coordinates, i.e., the coordinate grid?

The coordinate grid on a map is defined by map projection. A map projection is the mathematical method that transfers points from the Earth’s curved surface onto a flat map, and in doing so it establishes the grid of coordinates you use to plot locations. It determines how latitude and longitude lines (the graticule) or projected x,y coordinates appear on the map, including their spacing and distortion. That’s why map projection is the term that best describes the basis for plotting coordinates. Neat lines, register marks, and fix aren’t used to describe the coordinate framework on a map.

The coordinate grid on a map is defined by map projection. A map projection is the mathematical method that transfers points from the Earth’s curved surface onto a flat map, and in doing so it establishes the grid of coordinates you use to plot locations. It determines how latitude and longitude lines (the graticule) or projected x,y coordinates appear on the map, including their spacing and distortion. That’s why map projection is the term that best describes the basis for plotting coordinates. Neat lines, register marks, and fix aren’t used to describe the coordinate framework on a map.