Table of Contents
Gallery of Map Projections
see Map Projections
Orthographic
Looks like a globe.
Can show only one hemisphere.
The orthographic projection looks like a globe.
It can display only one hemisphere at a time.
Only the center of the map is free of distortion. Distortion values increase radially from the origin.
The orthographic projection is neither conformal nor equal-area. Shapes, areas, distances, directions, and angles are all generally distorted.
Equirectangular
Mathematically simple.
$$x,y = \lambda,\varphi$$
Horizontal stretch toward poles.
aka equidistant cylindrical projection, geographic projection, lat/lon projection, or plane chart
Stretch the sphere into a cylinder.
Then unroll like peeling the label off a soup can.
Shapes at the poles are stretched horizontally.
Azimuthal Equidistant
An 11th century work by al-Biruni describes this projection.
Can use any point on the globe as the origin. When the north pole is the origin, all the meridians are straight lines. This polar projection is used in the emblem of the United Nations.
Every point is the accurate distance from the origin. Because of this, it has been used to demonstrate missile ranges.
Other distances are distorted, as are shapes and areas are distorted.
Mercator
Designed in 1569 by Gerardus Mercator.
Stretched vertically, proportional to the the horizontal stretch of the Equirectangular projection. The amount of stretch increases geometrically with distance from the equator.
Size is distorted, but shape and angle are preserved. A compass heading of 36° is the same everywhere on the map. Because of this the Mercator is widely used for navigation even today.
In 2005, Google Maps introduced the Web Mercator variation.
- Uses a uses a spheroid model instead of Mercator's ellipsoid model. This sacrifices some accuracy at low scales, in favor of a faster calculation.
- Introduces “zoom level”. Described here at TomTom.
- Sometimes cropped to around 85°N to 85°S.
- Now used in most online street mapping systems.
Wikipedia Mercator and Web Mercator
Lambert azimuthal equal-area
In 1772 Johann Heinrich Lambert published seven new map projections:
- Lambert conformal conic
- Transverse Mercator
- Lambert azimuthal equal area
- Lagrange projection
- Lambert cylindrical equal area
- Transverse cylindrical equal area
- Lambert conical equal area
Similar to azimuthal equidistant, except that this projection preserves area proportions across the map.
Albers equal-area conic
In 1805, Heinrich C. Albers presented this projection.
Gall-Peters
In 1885, described by James Gall, in the 1970s, popularized by Arno Peters.
An equal-area projection with standard parallels at 45°N and 45°S.
Aitoff
In 1889, by David A. Aitoff.
Starting with the equatorial form of the azimuthal equidistant projection, Aitoff first halves longitudes, then projects according to the azimuthal equidistant, and then stretches the result horizontally into a 2:1 ellipse to compensate for having halved the longitudes.
Wikipedia
Van der Grinten
In 1898, Alphons J. van der Grinten invented this projection.
From 1922 to 1988, this projection was used by the National Geographic Society.
Robinson
In 1963, Rand McNally commissioned Arthur H. Robinson to create an appealing-looking world map, and they use it to this day.
From 1988 to 1998, it was used by the National Geographic Society.
Winkel Tripel
In 1921, Oswald Winkel proposed three new projections. Winkel Tripel is the third one.
This is the arithmetic mean of the Equirectangular and Aitoff projections.
Since 1998, this is the official map of the National Geographic Society.
Goode Homolosine
In 1923, John Paul Goode developed the Homolosine projection.
It contains multiple optional interruptions.
Fuller Dymaxian Polyhedron
Waterman Butterfly
In 1996, Steve Waterman …
The version show here uses the antimeridian as the central Meridian, with Antarctica detached.
Hand-drawn Maps
By contrast, these drawings are NOT projections.
- Projections are mathematical transformations of data, prioritizing accuracy and functionality.
- Hand-drawn maps emphasize creativity and personality.
Whitcoulls jigsaw puzzle
Half-a-Hundred Acre Wood blob draw
Zazzle poster
