Skip to content
NAD 1983 Contiguous USA AlbersNAD 1983 UTM Zone 15 NorthWorld Mercator
This was the document that was used to help guide students through this lab.
Lab Overview
This lab focused on understanding how map projections affect the way geographic data is displayed, measured, and analyzed in ArcGIS Pro. Using Minnesota county data, the lab explored both on-the-fly projections and permanently projecting data into new coordinate systems. The main goal was to visually and quantitatively compare different projections and understand why projection choice matters in GIS analysis.
This lab also emphasized proper cartographic layout design and exporting clean, professional map products rather than screenshots.
Understanding Projections and Coordinate Systems
The lab began by reviewing the difference between geographic coordinate systems and projected coordinate systems. Minnesota county data stored in decimal degrees was added to maps using different projections, including Albers, UTM Zone 15 North, and Mercator.
ArcGIS Pro’s on-the-fly projection capability allowed multiple datasets in different coordinate systems to line up visually. However, the lab reinforced that while data may appear aligned, measurements such as distance and area can be incorrect if projections are not handled properly.
Measuring Distortion Across Projections
Distance measurements were taken across Minnesota using multiple projections. The same two points were measured in Albers, UTM, and Mercator projections, and the results differed noticeably. This demonstrated how distortion varies by projection and why certain projections are better suited for distance, area, or shape preservation.
Coordinates for the northeastern corner of Ramsey County were also recorded in each projection. This exercise showed how the same physical location can have very different coordinate values depending on the coordinate system being used.
Projecting Data Using the Project Tool
In addition to on-the-fly projection, the lab required permanently projecting data into new coordinate systems using the Project tool. Separate datasets were created for:
Each projected dataset was verified by checking layer properties to ensure the correct spatial reference was applied. The lab stressed the importance of using the Project tool correctly and not confusing it with the Define Projection tool, which can corrupt data if misused.
Creating Map Layouts
After projecting the data, multiple map layouts were created in ArcGIS Pro. One layout compared the three Minnesota projections side by side at the same fixed scale to clearly show how shape distortion changes between projections. Another layout included a main Minnesota counties map with a global inset map to show geographic context.
All layouts included proper cartographic elements such as a title, north arrow, scale bar, and author name and date. Attention was paid to clean design, consistent scale, and removing unnecessary borders around map frames.
Key Takeaway
This lab demonstrated how critical projection choice is in GIS workflows. Different projections can significantly affect distance measurements, shape, and spatial interpretation, even when working with the same dataset. By creating and comparing multiple projections in ArcGIS Pro, this lab reinforced the importance of selecting the correct coordinate system for analysis and producing clean, professional map layouts for presentation and reporting.
Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ··· in the right corner or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.