Final answer:
The claim that flat maps create distortions when representing the spherical Earth is true, with the Mercator projection being a prime example. This type of map distorts the true sizes of continents, especially as the latitude increases. The True Size tool and scientific evidence support the Earth being an oblate spheroid, not flat.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that flat maps create distortions when portraying a spherical world onto a flat surface is true. This is due to the inherent challenge of projecting the three-dimensional globe onto two-dimensional media. One common example is the Mercator projection, which significantly distorts size and shape as one moves away from the equator, making continents appear larger or smaller than their actual sizes.
Mercator maps were historically valuable for navigation because they preserved angle fidelity, which was important for plotting a straight-line course. However, they also suggest that the United States is nearly as wide as Africa, when in fact Africa is much larger. Tools like The True Size allow for more accurate visual comparisons by adjusting the sizes of landmasses based on their location on the globe.
While different groups may have different beliefs about the shape of the Earth, ranging from a flat Earth to an oblate spheroid, the overwhelming scientific evidence supports the Earth being an oblate spheroid. Geographic information, such as the use of different map projections, helps us understand the true scale and shape of our planet.