The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations
Par un écrivain mystérieux
Last updated 17 juin 2024
![The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations](https://images.prismic.io/sketchplanations/713c48ef-dd9c-4626-aa63-f0bbe1c527da_179733187461.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840&q=50)
All maps involve decisions. Whenever you compress real life onto something smaller and less detailed you have to choose what to keep in and what to leave out. And in the case of printing a map of the Earth, you have to figure out how to get something that is curved onto something that is flat, and this involves trade-offs and decisions as well. 3 dimensional space just doesn’t flatten to 2 dimensional paper without choices. In 1569 Gerardus Mercator created a map that brilliantly solved a pressing problem — that of being able to follow a straight line while sailing and it correspond to a straight line on the map. His map also did a good job of preserving the shape of countries. But to do this you have to stretch the areas at the top and bottom of the Earth. Because most of the land on Earth is in the Northern hemisphere, and because that land is generally further north than the land in the southern hemisphere is south, it has the effect of enlarging Northern countries such as Europe, the US and Canada, Scandinavia and Russia as compared to countries closer to the equator and in the Southern hemisphere. Most world maps you see are still similar to Mercator’s projection. In fact Google Maps desktop used it until just recently. It could well be that this distorts our worldview by emphasizing Northern countries in size and therefore importance. When I see a more size accurate Gall-Peters projection I have to say it’s hard to argue. The West Wing did this brilliantly. HT: Paul Lewis
![The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/FMIB_45970_Map_of_the_World_on_Mercator%27s_Projection_showing_the_Extent_and_Distribution_of_the_Present_and_Abandoned_Whaling_Grounds.jpeg)
File:FMIB 45970 Map of the World on Mercator's Projection showing
![The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations](https://www.markmonmonier.com/images/Goode.jpg)
Mark Monmonier - Rhumb Lines and Map Wars: A Social History of the
![The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations](https://faculty.kutztown.edu/courtney/blackboard/Physical/05Project/sfmerc.gif)
5. Map Projections
![The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/58/85/1b/58851b0bfe308e6fb22ac600af5a7b25.gif)
World Map - Mercator Projection World map continents, World map
![The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations](https://t4.ftcdn.net/jpg/06/40/22/11/360_F_640221111_RlBHPYV74WQ2m6gsqgMx95xvRJ27y4A9.jpg)
Mercator Projection Images – Browse 770 Stock Photos, Vectors
![The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations](https://images.prismic.io/sketchplanations/e1e45776-aa40-4806-820e-b5c5b8050f4b_SP+687+-+The+haversine+formula.png?auto=compress,format)
Tag: navigation - Sketchplanations
![The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations](https://cdn.britannica.com/36/65036-004-858AA98E/Mercator-continents-projection-world-map-name.jpg)
Mercator projection, Definition, Uses, & Limitations
![The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations](https://www.andrewt.net/old-blog/assets/wp-content/old/map34.jpg)
Fun with the Mercator Projection
Copper Engraving with original wash and outline hand colour., Published by Laurie and Whittle, No. 53 Fleet Street London. Not dated in the
![The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations](http://warwickleadlay.com/cdn/shop/products/WORLDDUNN.jpg?v=1670073975)
A NEW CHART OF THE WORLD ON MERCATOR'S PROJECTION with The Tracks & Discoveries of the Latest Circumnavigators &c. by SAMUEL DUNN, Mathematician.
![The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations](https://www.andrewt.net/old-blog/assets/wp-content/old/africa1.jpg)
Fun with the Mercator Projection
![The Mercator projection - Sketchplanations](https://images.prismic.io/sketchplanations/f8aac923-3151-41ab-b1f5-d4be01862f44_SP+688+-+Idling+150+balloons.png?auto=compress,format)
The haversine formula - Sketchplanations
Recommandé pour vous
- Gérard Mercator, l'homme qui a inventé le GPS il y a 500 ans !14 Jul 2023
- Wonderful world: Mercator's Atlas, 161314 Jul 2023
- À propos de Mercator14 Jul 2023
- Projection de la carte de Mercator. Schéma d'un globe de la terre14 Jul 2023
- Physical World Wall Map - Mercator Projection14 Jul 2023
- Monde - Mercator Europe14 Jul 2023
- 18th Century World Map - projection Mercator Photo Stock - Alamy14 Jul 2023
- File:Mercator Blank Map World.png - Wikimedia Commons14 Jul 2023
- 458 photos et images de Mercator Map - Getty Images14 Jul 2023
- Keeping areas very realistic in Mercator projection14 Jul 2023
Tu pourrais aussi aimer
- Kaïs COURRIER (@k_courrier) / X14 Jul 2023
- Klorane - Lingettes nettoyantes douces pour le corps au Calendula apaisant - Bébé - Peau normale à sèche 25 u | Beautymall14 Jul 2023
- Livre d'or - Wedding by Fabiola14 Jul 2023
- Marco 12 24 Crayons De Couleurs Mode Couleur Pastel Crayon De Forme Carrée Lapis De Cor Crayons De Couleur Pour Écolier Enfants Cadeaux 3045 Du 42,4 €14 Jul 2023
- Embouteiller sa bière avec un BEERGUN I Montage, utilisation, pression (Mise en keg partie 2)14 Jul 2023
- Burrata With Warm Tomatoes & Olives14 Jul 2023
- TROUSSE DE RÉPARATION DE RÉSERVOIR DE TOILETTES TOUT-EN-UN HAUTE14 Jul 2023
- Baseus USB C HUB 16 In 1 Type C HUB To PD RJ45 VGA HD 3 Screens USB 3.0 2.0 Adapter Docking Station for MacBook Pro Type-c Hub14 Jul 2023
- Autoradio clarion 406 coupé - 406 - Peugeot - Forum Marques14 Jul 2023
- Couverture de Table de tennis de table, imperméable, anti-poussière, anti-ultraviolet, pratique, noir, pour sports14 Jul 2023