cylindricalprojections（cylindricalprojections）.docVIP

Map projection properties: considerations for small-scale GIS Applications by Eric M. Delmelle A project submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of State University of New York at Buffalo in partial fulfillments of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Geographical Information Systems and Computer Cartography Department of Geography September 2001 Master Advisory Committee: David M. Mark Douglas M. Flewelling Abstract Since Ptolemeus established that the Earth was round, the number of map projections has increased considerably. Cartographers have at present an impressive number of projections, but often lack a suitable classification and selection scheme for them, which significantly slows down the mapping process. Although a projection portrays a part of the Earth on a flat surface, projections generate distortion from the original shape. On world maps, continental areas may severely be distorted, increasingly away from the center of the projection. Over the years, map projections have been devised to preserve selected geometric properties (e.g. conformality, equivalence, and equidistance) and general properties (e.g. shape of the parallels and meridians, the representation of the Pole as a line or a point and the ratio of the axes). Unfortunately, Tissot proved that the perfect projection does not exist since it is not possible to combine all geometric properties together in a single projection. In the twentieth century however, cartographers have not given up their creativity, which has resulted in the appearance of new projections better matching specific needs. This paper will review how some of the most popular world projections may be suited for particular purposes and not for others, in order to enhance the message the map aims to communicate. Increasing developments in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) along with their user-friendliness have resulted in a substantial multiplication of GIS applications. The use