Map Projections. Map projection. More generally, the surfaces of planetary bodies can be mapped even if they are too irregular to be modeled well with a sphere or ellipsoid; see below.
Even more generally, projections are the subject of several pure mathematical fields, including differential geometry and projective geometry. However "map projection" refers specifically to a cartographic projection. Background[edit] Common Map Projections. Map projections are one of the fundamental concepts of geography and cartography.
Selecting the right map projection is one of the important first considerations for accurate GIS analysis. The problem with projections (and the reason why there are so many types) is that it is very difficult to represent the curved 3D surface of the Earth on a flat 2D surface of a map; some distortion is bound to occur (read about what is a map projection). Many geographers through the ages have tried to solve the distortion problem through various map projections. A recent example of a pseudocylindrical projection is the Robinson projection which views the entire world at once and one that compromises both area and angles. The longitudinal lines are curved while the latitude lines remain horizontally straight.
Flex Projector Gallery. Ciric IAuthor: Strahinja Ciric (Страхиња Ћирић) EmailThe Ciric I projection is based on the Winkel-Tripel and optimized for 54 degrees of acceptable angular distortion and 150% acceptable areal distortion, with parallel bending increasing linearly with latitude, and with equally-distributed meridians.Distortion (lower is better): Angular 25.84, Areal 0.16, Scale 0.29Released 12 Nov. 2010 Copyright Note: I, Strahinja Ciric, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain.
This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible, I grant any entity the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law. Don't Be Hating on Mercator.