Map Projections

Explore the 15 most popular map projections. Learn how they distort the Earth, their unique properties, and their applications.

What is a map projection?

A map projection is a mathematical method used to represent the three-dimensional curved surface of the Earth on a flat map plane. Because a sphere cannot be flattened without tearing, stretching, or compressing it, every flat map must contain distortions.

The Cartographer's Trilemma

In 1827, mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss proved (in his Theorema Egregium) that a sphere cannot be projected onto a flat plane without deformation. Cartographers must choose which of the three main properties to preserve at the expense of others:

📐 Conformal (Orthomorphic)

Preserves local angles and shapes (e.g., Mercator). Vital for navigation (as it keeps compass bearings straight), but drastically inflates areas near the poles.

🗺️ Equal-Area (Equiareal)

Preserves the relative sizes of landmasses (e.g., Gall-Peters or Mollweide). Countries have the correct relative surface areas, but their local shapes become heavily stretched or distorted.

⚖️ Compromise Projections

Do not perfectly preserve area or shapes, but instead balance both distortions to produce a natural, visually pleasing map of the world (e.g., Robinson or Winkel Tripel).

Mercator Projection

Conformal Cylindrical

Gerardus Mercator(1569)

Designed in 1569 by the Flemish geographer and cartographer Gerardus Mercator. It became the standard projection for marine navigation because rhumb lines (lines of constant bearing) are represented as straight line segments.

Projection	Area	Shape	Distances	Angles & Directions	Continuity
Mercator Projection	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved	✅ Preserved
Robinson Projection	⚖️ Compromise	⚖️ Compromise	⚖️ Compromise	✅ Preserved	✅ Preserved
Gall-Peters Projection	✅ Preserved	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved
Mollweide Projection	✅ Preserved	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved
Winkel Tripel Projection	⚖️ Compromise	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	⚖️ Compromise	✅ Preserved
Equal Earth Projection	✅ Preserved	⚖️ Compromise	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved
Peirce Quincuncial	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved	✅ Preserved
Berghaus Star Projection	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved	❌ Distorted	❌ Interrupted
August Epicycloidal	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved	✅ Preserved
Plate Carrée	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved
Globe (Orthographic)	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	❌ Interrupted
Waterman Butterfly	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved	❌ Interrupted
Dymaxion (Airocean) Projection	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved	❌ Interrupted
Werner Cordiform Projection	✅ Preserved	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved	❌ Distorted	✅ Preserved
Spilhaus Ocean Map Projection	✅ Preserved	✅ Preserved	✅ Preserved	✅ Preserved	❌ Interrupted

Map Projections

What is a map projection?

The Cartographer's Trilemma

Mercator Projection

Robinson Projection

Gall-Peters Projection

Mollweide Projection

Winkel Tripel Projection

Equal Earth Projection

Peirce Quincuncial

Berghaus Star Projection

August Epicycloidal

Plate Carrée

Globe (Orthographic)

Waterman Butterfly

Dymaxion (Airocean) Projection

Werner Cordiform Projection

Spilhaus Ocean Map Projection

Summary of Map Projection Properties