Question 1: List the Buttons in the Data Frame Properties Coordinate System Window. Give

Elbert Hairston

Lab 2 Report

Geog 370

Question 1: List the buttons in the Data Frame Properties Coordinate System window. Give a short description of the function of each button.

Clear: allows you to remove the coordinate systems that are currently in the box.

Transformations: opens a menu that allows you to convert the coordinate systems that you are using.

Modify: allows you to change certain options about your system such as the prime meridian, semi-major axis, etc.

Import: allows you to choose a coordinate system from another source.

New: allows you to add a new coordinate system, either geographic or projected.

Add to Favorites: adds the currently selected coordinate system to your favorite settings.

Question 2: Has the shape and appearance of the United States changed? If so, how?

Yes, the shape and appearance of the United States has changed. It appears that it got skinnier and moved farther right on the screen while Alaska turned sideways a little bit and up a little, as did Hawaii.

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

GCS_North_American_1983

Datum: D_North_American_1983

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.

I think that the Albers Equal Area Projection is alright for viewing the entire world because it makes it so that there is equal area which is an important thing to not distort, though no map is perfect because every map distorts some features to be able to be more true to other things. This is the case with this view of the world from the Albers Equal Area Projection as there seems to be more attention paid to keeping the areas true and equal as they should be, but it allows some distortion with things being smushed at the poles.

Question 5: Describe and attach the current ArcMap window.

Question 6: Describe the difference between the four Data Frames: three projected and one unprojected.

There are several notable differences between the four maps now, where three are projected maps and one of them is unprojected. The most important distinction between the four maps is the different types of distortion that each has. These distortions are shown because they are attempting to create a map that will show other features of the map more truly, so each of these types of maps have different purposes that they were designed for.

Question 7: Choose one layout out of four layouts to make your final map. Putyour final map including text, legend, north arrow, scale bar, etc. on your lab report.