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.