Directory of Map Projections

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ellipsoidal Mercator

Aspects of: Mercator

Description

Ellipsoidal form of the equatorial Mercator projection.

Classifications

cylindric
conformal

Graticule

Meridians: Meridians are straight and evenly spaced.
Parallels: Straight, with spacing increasing with latitude.

Scale

Correct along the equator and constant along each parallel. Infinite at the poles. The full map cannot be shown.

Distortion

Free of distortion at the equator. Inflation increases with latitude.

Usage

Used for nautical charts and occasionally used for large scale maps near of regions in the tropics.

Similar projections

The standard Mercator uses the sphere as its global model.

Origin

Johann Heinrich Lambert described the ellipsoidal Mercator in 1772.

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