Mercator Projection Map
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: IE
Context: The African Union (AU) has endorsed a global campaign to replace the Mercator projection map with one that depicts Africa’s true size.
About Mercator Projection Map:
• What it is?
• A cylindrical map projection, introduced in 1569. Designed for navigation — allows sailors to follow a straight line of constant compass bearing.
• A cylindrical map projection, introduced in 1569.
• Designed for navigation — allows sailors to follow a straight line of constant compass bearing.
• Developed by: Gerardus Mercator (1512–1594), Flemish mathematician and cartographer.
• Key Features: Type: A cylindrical projection mathematically derived to project the spherical Earth on a flat surface. Straight-line Navigation (Rhumb Lines):
• Type: A cylindrical projection mathematically derived to project the spherical Earth on a flat surface.
• Straight-line Navigation (Rhumb Lines):
• Any straight line drawn represents a line of constant compass bearing (loxodrome). Made it ideal for maritime navigation in the Age of Exploration.
• Any straight line drawn represents a line of constant compass bearing (loxodrome). Made it ideal for maritime navigation in the Age of Exploration.
• Any straight line drawn represents a line of constant compass bearing (loxodrome).
• Made it ideal for maritime navigation in the Age of Exploration.
• Grid Structure:
• Meridians: Equally spaced, parallel, vertical lines. Parallels of Latitude: Horizontal, straight lines — spacing increases with distance from the Equator. Grid intersections form perfect right angles.
• Meridians: Equally spaced, parallel, vertical lines. Parallels of Latitude: Horizontal, straight lines — spacing increases with distance from the Equator. Grid intersections form perfect right angles.
• Meridians: Equally spaced, parallel, vertical lines.
• Parallels of Latitude: Horizontal, straight lines — spacing increases with distance from the Equator.
• Grid intersections form perfect right angles.
• Scale:
• True scale only along the Equator. Distortion increases with latitude, especially near the poles.
• True scale only along the Equator. Distortion increases with latitude, especially near the poles.
• True scale only along the Equator.
• Distortion increases with latitude, especially near the poles.
• Conformality:
• Preserves shapes and angles, making it useful for navigators. But area (size) is highly distorted.
• Preserves shapes and angles, making it useful for navigators.
• But area (size) is highly distorted.
• Issues & Distortions:
• Africa & South America appear much smaller than reality. Europe, North America, and Greenland look disproportionately larger.
• Africa & South America appear much smaller than reality.
• Europe, North America, and Greenland look disproportionately larger.