Final answer:
The map element that enables showing the round Earth as a flat map is called a projection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The map element that enables showing the round Earth as a flat map is called a projection.
Projections are mathematical methods used to represent the curved surface of the Earth on a flat surface, such as a piece of paper or a computer screen. Different types of projections have been developed over time to minimize distortion in specific areas, but all projections introduce some level of distortion in order to flatten the Earth.
One of the most famous projections is the Mercator projection, developed by Gerardus Mercator in 1569. The Mercator projection distorts the size of land masses as they get further away from the equator, but it preserves straight lines and allows for accurate navigation calculations.