Scott Zeman
Lab #2: Using ArcMap—projection and cartographic visualization
Question 1: List the buttons in the Data Frame Properties Coordinate System window. Give a short description of the function of each button.
Clear- Removes the coordinate system from the data frame
Transformations- Defines changes in the coordinate system
Modify- Edits the parameters of the coordinate system
Import- Lets you browse for a coordinate system
New- Lets you create a new coordinate system
Add To Favorites- Adds the coordinate system to a list of favorite systems
Remove From Favorites- Removes the coordinate system from the list of favorites
Question 2: Has the shape and appearance of the United States changed? If so, how?
The shape became more curved and the size is slightly smaller.
Question 3: List the names and values of the parameters that appear in the Coordinate System tab in Data Frame Properties window for this coordinate system.
USA_Contiguous_Albers_Equal_Area_Conic
Projection: Albers
False_Easting: 0.000000
False_Northing: 0.000000
Central_Meridian: -96.000000
Standard_Parallel_1: 29.500000
Standard_Parallel_2: 45.500000
Latitude_Of_Origin: 37.500000
Linear Unit: Meter
Question 4: Given the appearance of the data now, do you feel that the Albers Equal Area Projection is appropriate for viewing the entire world? Attach and describe the current view.
This projection is not appropriate for viewing the entire world because the shapes of some of the countries are very distorted.
Question 5: Describe and attach the current ArcMap window.
The window shows a page with four identical projections.
Question 6: Describe the difference between the four Data Frames: three projected and one unprojected.
The main difference is the shape of the projection. The Robinson and Sinusoidal ones have different shapes, while the Mercator and the GCS North American 1983 are both rectangular. In the Mercator map, however, the areas near the poles are larger than those in the GCS map.
Question 7: Choose one layout out of four layouts to make your final map. Put your final map including text, legend, north arrow, scale bar, etc. on your lab report.