Which term describes the technical projection that translates the curved surface of the Earth onto a flat map?

The term that describes the technical projection translating the curved surface of the Earth onto a flat map is map projection. This process involves mathematically transforming the Earth's three-dimensional surface into a two-dimensional representation. Since the Earth is roughly spherical, this transformation can lead to various distortions, such as in area, shape, distance, or direction, depending on the type of map projection used. Map projections are essential for creating usable maps that can serve different purposes, be it for navigation, education, or various scientific applications.

Cartography refers to the art and science of map-making, which encompasses the design and creation of maps but does not specifically describe the mathematical aspect of the projection itself. Geodesy is the field that focuses on measuring and understanding Earth’s geometric shape, orientation in space, and gravity field, which relates more to the Earth’s physical properties than to the process of creating flat maps. Landform modeling pertains to the representation of the Earth's surface features, typically concerning their shape and design rather than the technical process of map projection.