The Wide Range of World Maps
By: Group Lb
Tags: Mapping, Roster Projections, Mercado, Maps, Conic

You might wonder, why are there so many different types of map projections? Well, in a similar analogy, there is more than one way to flatten an orange peel. Some projections focus on perserving the shape of the countries, where as others focus on the bending longitudinal lines near the poles. Different map projects are created to meet different needs, however, the common mistake is that there is one correct projection. Learn more about the different projections, and what each of their strengths are below!

There are three types of World Maps

Cylindrical Map Projections Conic Map Projections Azimuthal Map Projections

TYPE 1: Cylindrical Map Projections

These types of map projections include the very well-known Mercator, Cassini Gauss-Kruger, Miller, Behrman, Hobo-Dyer, and Gall-Peters. All of these maps have straight coordinate lines with horizontal parallels crossing meridians at right angles. Here, all meridians are equally spaced out and the space is constant along each parallel. Cylindrical maps are very useful for comparing latitudes however they are not great depictions of how the world really looks. Because of the equator being a horizontal line across earth, the area near the equator is most likely to be accurate compared to the area directly around it. The issue, however, lies when the parallels and meridians don’t allow for the curvature of the Earth, which is why there is such a controversy when it comes to the Mercator Projection as an accurate representation.

To learn more about the issues that lie with the use of the Mercator Projection, click on “Why Maps are Bias”.

Cylindrical Map Projections

A. Mercator Projection:

Developed in the 16th century, this map is great for navigation because all the longitude and latitude lines are same. This map also shows the continent shape but are unrealistic in size, leading to a lot of map bias.

Mercator Projection, created by Gerardus Mercator in 1569

B. Gauss-Kruger Projection:

This map, also known as the ellipsoidal version of the transverse Mercator projection, is quite similar to the Mercator except for the fact that the cylinder touches the sphere along a meridian instead of along the equator. This placement of the central meridian on the center of the region helps minimize distortion for all properties.

Gauss-Kruger Projection, created by Louis Krüger in 1912

C. Miller Projection:

Developed by Osborn M. Miller in 1942, this map is used for general world maps that do not require accurate areas and those who phenomena change with longitude. However, because of the distortion in polar regions, the use is not recommended.

link to the miller projection: https://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/latest/map/projections/miller-cylindrical.htm

D. Behrman Projection:

Introduced by Walter Behrman in 1910, this map is considered a cylindrical equal-area map projection with standard parallels set at 30 degrees north and south. Because of the equal-area property, it highly compresses the polar regions.

Behrman Projection, created by Walter Behrman in 1910

E. Hobo-Dyer Projection:

This map offers less of an elongation than the Peters map does, but there is more compression at the poles. Here, the south is up, the pacific is centered with equal areas on either side. The change in the location of the Global North shifts typical perspectives of most maps.

Hobo-Dyer Projection, created by Bob Abramms and Howard Bronstein in 2002

F. Gall Peters Projection:

This is an Equal Area projection with standard parallels at 45 degrees, however it results in distorting the shape that is stretched about the equator as well as results in compression at the poles. The advantage of this map is that all the countries are in correct size relation to each other, leaving it as the icon of world equality.

link to the Gall Peters Projection: https://www.maptorian.com/peters-projection-vector-world-map/