Map projection

A map projection is like taking a big round globe and squishing it down flat like a pancake. Different map projections squish down different ways so that you can look at them on paper or on a computer. For example, the most popular kind of map projection is called the Mercator Projection, which is named after Gerardus Mercator. It looks like all the straight lines in the oceans stay straight and that makes it good for navigation.