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Office, E.E. Map Projection. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/61110 (accessed on 06 November 2026).
Office EE. Map Projection. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/61110. Accessed November 06, 2026.
Office, Encyclopedia Editorial. "Map Projection" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/61110 (accessed November 06, 2026).
Office, E.E. (2026, October 19). Map Projection. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/61110
Office, Encyclopedia Editorial. "Map Projection." Encyclopedia. Web. 19 October, 2026.

Map Projection

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A map projection is a systematic mathematical transformation that represents all or part of the Earth’s curved surface on a flat plane [1][2]. It transforms geographic coordinates, typically latitude and longitude on a sphere or ellipsoid, into planar coordinates that can be used to construct maps [1][2]. Because a curved surface cannot be flattened without geometric distortion, every map projection alters at least one spatial property, such as area, shape, distance, direction, or scale. Different projections preserve particular properties or balance distortions according to their intended use. Equal-area projections preserve area relationships, conformal projections preserve local angles, and equidistant projections preserve specified distances or distance relationships [1][3]. The suitability of a projection depends on the geographic extent and location being mapped, the purpose of the map, and the spatial properties that need to be represented accurately [1][2]. Map projection is therefore a fundamental concept in cartography and spatial analysis because it determines how geographic positions and spatial relationships are represented on a plane [2][3].

map projection cartography geographic coordinates planar coordinates projection distortion equal-area projection conformal projection equidistant projection
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References

  1. John P. Snyder. Map projections: A working manual; US Geological Survey: Nashville, TN, United States, 1987. [CrossRef]
  2. Sarah Battersby; Map Projections. The Geographic Information Science & Technology Body of Knowledge 2017, 2, 7. [CrossRef]
  3. John P. Snyder; Philip M. Voxland. An album of map projections; US Geological Survey: Nashville, TN, United States, 1989. [CrossRef]
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Subjects: Geography
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Update Date: 19 Oct 2026
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