How do maps distort reality?
BLUF: All flat maps of Earth must distort some aspect of geography because a sphere cannot be represented on a plane without compromise.
A fundamental explanation of how do maps distort reality?
The Explanation
All flat maps of Earth must distort some aspect of geography because a sphere cannot be represented on a plane without compromise. For example, the commonly used Mercator projection enlarges areas near the poles: Greenland appears far larger than it truly is relative to equatorial countries. Other projections preserve area at the expense of shape, or preserve distances in one direction but not others. In general, mapmakers choose projections based on purpose, but each introduces distortions in scale, shape, distance or direction. Thus maps inevitably distort reality: they are useful models, not perfect replicas of the globe.