Final answer:
Map projections are controversial due to subjective biases, historical use as tools of conquest, and distortions of sizes and shapes of countries and regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Map projections are controversial due to several reasons. Firstly, maps are often subjective, as they are created from the perspective of the mapmaker, leading to biases and inaccuracies. For example, many historical maps placed the mapmaker's own civilization at the center of the world. Secondly, maps have been used as tools of conquest and suppression throughout history, leading to further controversies. For instance, during the Age of Exploration, the Pope divided newly discovered territories among European powers. Finally, map projections can distort the sizes and shapes of countries and regions, misleading perceptions about their relative sizes.