-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [MAPS-L] Patron question regarding topo maps - square vs. rectangle Date: Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:22:12 -0600 From: Robert T Wyatt <[log in to unmask]> Reply-To: [log in to unmask] Organization: The University of Texas at Austin To: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum <[log in to unmask]> A concise answer is that minutes of latitude do not equal minutes of longitude. The closer to the poles, the greater the difference between the two. Maps-L Moderator wrote: > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Patron question regarding topo maps > Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 16:43:40 -0500 > From: Mary Douglass <[log in to unmask]> > To: [log in to unmask] > > Hello folks, > I think that some of you out there will be able to come up with a well > thought out answer for this question before I can think of where to look! > "Why on a 7.5 minute USGS Topo isn't the area map square? Since the map is > 7.5 minutes X 7.5 minutes, it should be square. The map clearly is not > square and appears rectangular. Can you help with this dilemma?" > I've told the patron that I'm sending the question out to the "experts". > > Mary Douglass > History, Travel and Maps Department at Seattle Public Library