Globe
Topic: Maps and Map Scale · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 1 "Introduction to Maps"; Class 11, Ch 4 "Map Projections"
Meaning
A globe is a small, round model of the earth. Because it is round like the earth, it shows the shapes, sizes, distances and directions of continents and oceans correctly. But a globe is costly and hard to carry. It also cannot show small details like streets or villages. That is why we need flat maps for most work.
Example
On a classroom globe, India looks small next to Asia. Its shape, and its position north of the Equator beside the Indian Ocean, are shown truly. The globe cannot show the streets of Delhi, but a city map can.
Don't confuse with
- Map: a map is flat and can show any area in detail at any scale. But turning the round earth into a flat sheet always brings some error in shape, area, distance or direction. A globe has none of this error.
- Geoid: the geoid is the earth's real shape, a ball slightly flattened at the poles. A globe is only a model of the earth.