Company
Date Published
Author
Mamata Akella, Head of Cartography
Word count
1371
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Map projections are essential for representing Earth's curved surface on flat maps, but they inevitably introduce distortions in shape, area, or distance. The choice of projection depends on the intended use, such as navigation, data visualization, or regional mapping. Projections are generally categorized into cylindrical, conic, and azimuthal types, each with specific advantages and drawbacks. Cylindrical projections, like the Mercator, are popular for navigation due to their preservation of direction, though they distort size near the poles. Conic projections are suitable for mapping mid-latitude regions, balancing shape and area, while azimuthal projections offer accurate direction from a central point, ideal for polar or regional maps. Different properties such as conformal, equal-area, equidistant, and true-direction guide the selection of the right map projection for specific tasks. Tools like Felt simplify the use of spatial data by allowing users to explore and edit maps in the familiar Web Mercator view while ensuring precise measurements through specialized projections, making complex geography accessible and understandable without requiring technical expertise.