CTEVT 📚 Cartography – Chapter 5: Map Projection (Full Chapter + Free PDF + Diagrams & Nepal Examples)
🗺️ Have you ever wondered how we project the curved surface of the Earth onto a flat map without distorting it?
Chapter 5 of Cartography (EG 2201 GE) in the CTEVT Diploma in Geomatics Engineering – 4th Semester unveils the fascinating science behind Map Projections — the mathematical methods that make all maps possible.
📥 Download Free PDF Notes, study illustrated projection types, and understand how Nepal’s MUTM system brings real-world accuracy to your survey and GIS maps.
📌 Overview
The Earth is round, but maps are flat — and that’s where map projections come in.
They allow us to represent the globe’s curved surface on a plane sheet using mathematical transformations.
However, any projection introduces some distortion — in shape, area, distance, or direction — depending on how it’s constructed.
A cartographer’s job is to choose the projection that best suits the map’s purpose and region.
🎥 Watch the Full Chapter 5 Video
👉 [Click Here to Watch on YouTube]
(Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more Geomatics tutorials!)
📚 What’s Covered in Chapter 5: Map Projection
This chapter explains projection principles, classifications, properties, and Nepal’s official coordinate system.
✔️ Definition of Map Projection
A map projection is a systematic transformation of Earth’s curved surface (spherical or ellipsoidal) onto a flat surface such as a map or computer screen.
“A map projection is the mathematical bridge between the globe and the map.”
✔️ Need for Map Projection
🌍 Earth’s surface cannot be flattened without stretching or compressing it.
Map projections are essential to:
- Represent geographical coordinates (latitude and longitude) on a flat plane
- Measure distances, areas, and directions correctly within a region
- Create accurate base maps for surveying, GIS, and navigation
🧮 Basic Concepts
🜒 The Graticule
The network of latitude and longitude lines projected onto the map surface.
It forms the basis for locating any point on Earth.
📍 Reference Surfaces
- Sphere – used for small-scale maps
- Ellipsoid (Spheroid) – used for precise mapping and geodetic work
🧩 Properties of Map Projections
Every projection preserves some properties while distorting others.
| Property | Meaning | Projection Type Preserving It |
|---|---|---|
| Area (Equivalent) | Maintains true area | Equal-area projections |
| Shape (Conformal) | Maintains local angles and shape | Conformal projections |
| Distance (Equidistant) | Preserves true distance along specific lines | Equidistant projections |
| Direction (Azimuthal) | Maintains correct bearings from a central point | Azimuthal projections |
🧠 No single projection can preserve all properties simultaneously — the choice depends on map purpose.
🗺️ Classification of Map Projections
Map projections are generally classified based on projection surface and method of projection.
🧭 1️⃣ Cylindrical Projection
In this projection, the Earth’s surface is projected onto a cylinder that touches or cuts the globe.
🧩 Types:
- Simple Cylindrical (Equirectangular) – equally spaced grid
- Mercator Projection – conformal; preserves shape, used for navigation
- Transverse Mercator – used for narrow zones along meridians (basis for UTM/MUTM)
📍 Uses: Navigation, equatorial regions, GIS base maps.
🗻 2️⃣ Conical Projection
The Earth’s surface is projected onto a cone that touches or intersects the globe along one or two standard parallels.
🧩 Types:
- Simple Conical (One Standard Parallel)
- Lambert Conformal Conic (Two Standard Parallels)
📍 Uses: Mid-latitude countries and topographic maps.
Example: Used in India and parts of Europe.
🧊 3️⃣ Azimuthal (Planar) Projection
The projection surface is a flat plane that touches the globe at one point (usually poles or center).
🧩 Types:
- Stereographic – conformal
- Orthographic – perspective (as seen from space)
- Gnomonic – shows great circles as straight lines
📍 Uses: Polar regions, air route planning, and seismic mapping.
🌍 4️⃣ Miscellaneous Projections
Other projections include:
- Polyconic Projection – used for large-scale topographic maps
- Bonne’s Projection – equal-area heart-shaped map
- Sinusoidal Projection – equal-area for world maps
🧠 Nepal’s National Projection System – MUTM
🇳🇵 Nepal officially uses the Modified Universal Transverse Mercator (MUTM) projection system for national mapping and GIS datasets.
🧮 Key Details:
- Projection Type: Transverse Mercator (Conformal)
- Datum: WGS 84 or Everest 1830 (local)
- Zones Used:
- MUTM Zone 45 – 84°E to 87°E
- MUTM Zone 46 – 87°E to 90°E
- Central Meridians: 85°30′E (Zone 45) and 88°30′E (Zone 46)
- Unit: Meters (Eastings and Northings)
📍 Application: Used in Survey Department topographic maps, cadastral mapping, and GIS layers for consistent coordinate referencing.
🧪 Practical GIS Example
In QGIS or ArcGIS, choose:
or
depending on your project location.
🧭 Tip: Always check projection metadata before overlaying different map layers — mismatched projections cause spatial shifts.
🧩 Key Takeaways
✅ Map projection transforms Earth’s curved surface onto a flat map.
✅ Each projection preserves certain properties (area, shape, distance, direction).
✅ Cylindrical, Conical, and Azimuthal are the three main projection families.
✅ Nepal uses the MUTM system (Zones 45 & 46) for all official mapping.
✅ Proper projection choice ensures accurate spatial analysis and cartographic presentation.
📂 Download Free PDF Notes – Chapter 5: Map Projection
Perfect for:
✅ CTEVT exam preparation
✅ Practical mapping and GIS use
✅ NEC License projection-related questions
🔽 [Download Notes – Chapter 5: Map Projection (PDF)]
🧮 Practice Questions for Students
🧾 Short Questions
- Define map projection.
- Why are map projections necessary?
- Write four main properties of map projection.
- Differentiate between conformal and equal-area projection.
- What projection system is used in Nepal?
📚 Long/Analytical Questions
- Explain the need, classification, and properties of map projections.
- Describe cylindrical, conical, and azimuthal projections with diagrams.
- Write notes on Mercator and Lambert Conformal Conic projections.
- Explain the Modified Universal Transverse Mercator (MUTM) system used in Nepal.
- Compare different projection types in terms of their preserved properties.
💡 Study Tips to Master Chapter 5
🔹 Draw diagrams of all three main projection types.
🔹 Memorize which property (shape, area, distance, direction) each projection preserves.
🔹 Practice reprojecting shapefiles in QGIS using MUTM zones.
🔹 Understand how UTM and MUTM differ in central meridian and zone coverage.
🔹 Revise projection formulas and Nepal’s MUTM parameters before exams.
🎯 Lessons Learned from Chapter 5
✅ Grasped the fundamentals of map projection theory.
✅ Learned the classification and characteristics of projections.
✅ Understood Nepal’s MUTM coordinate system and its importance.
✅ Developed skills to manage projection settings in GIS.
📘 Explore More from Cartography
📚 Chapter 1: Introduction – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 2: Map – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 3: Branches of Cartography – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 4: Graphic Variables – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 5: Map Projection – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 6: Map Sheet Numbering – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 7: Generalization – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 8: Relief Representation – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 9: Color – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 10: Digital Cartography – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 11: Map Reproduction – Download PDF
🎥 Watch the Full Chapter 5 Video
👉 [Click Here to Watch on YouTube]
(Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more Geomatics tutorials!)
🎯 Subscribe to STUDY WITH ME – Your Geomatics Study Partner!
🚀 Access full subject-wise notes, video lectures, NEC license prep, and study hacks!
🔴 [Click Here to Subscribe on YouTube]
💡 Turn ON notifications 🔔 to stay updated with every new chapter upload!
🎥 📚 Subscribe to STUDY WITH ME – Your Ultimate Study Partner!
🎯 Want access to more study materials, video explanations & PDF notes?
🚀 Subscribe to STUDY WITH ME for:
✅ Complete subject-wise notes for all semesters
✅ Detailed video lectures on key engineering topics
✅ NEC License Preparation Series for Geomatics Engineers
✅ Exam strategies & study hacks
🔴 SUBSCRIBE NOW & NEVER MISS AN UPDATE!
👉 Click Here to Subscribe
💡 Turn ON notifications 🔔 to get updates on new videos and notes!
📌 Explore More Study Materials & Playlists
Looking for more notes and videos? Check out complete study resources for different CTEVT and IOE semesters:
🎯 CTEVT Diploma in Geomatics Engineering Playlists:
📌 CTEVT
🎯 IOE Geomatics Engineering Playlists:
📌 3rd Sem
📌 4th Sem
📌 5th Sem
📌 6th Sem
📌 7th Sem
📌 8th Sem
📢 Preparing for NEC License Exams? Check out our NEC License Preparation Series
📌 Bookmark this blog for more PDF notes & study materials!
💬 Stay Connected!
📢 Have questions or requests for specific topics? Drop a comment on the YouTube video or reply below!
📌 Share this blog and help your friends prepare better!
👉 Start learning smarter – Watch the video, download the notes, and subscribe to STUDY WITH ME today! 🚀
🔥 Let’s Build a Strong Engineering Community! Your support & engagement keep this platform growing! Don’t forget to:
✅ Subscribe to the YouTube channel
✅ Like & Share the videos
✅ Visit the blog for PDF notes & updates
🎯 Happy Learning & Best of Luck with Your Exams! 🎓📖