My Projection Collection:
Compare Projections
Central Cylindrical vs. Mercator
Central Cylindrical | Mercator | |
---|---|---|
Creator | Unknown (1850 approx.) | Gerardus Mercator (1569) |
Group | Cylindric | Cylindric |
Property | Compromise | Conformal |
Other Names | — | — |
Remarks | Perspective cylindrical map projection, truncated at 75° North/South. Due to its severe inflation near the poles, it is practically unused in cartography. Common usage is to illustrate the construction of cylindrical projections – and to show that the Mercator projection is not constructed perspectively as sometimes claimed. |
Cut off at 84° North and South |
recommended comparisons | Mercator | Baker Dinomic Braun Perspective Central Cylindrical Kavraiskiy I |
This pairing is among the list of recommended pairings – but why? Contrary to what is sometimes claimed, the Mercator projection is not constructed perspectively. A perspective projection results in the Central Cylindrical instead. |
1. Comparison: Physical Map
2. Comparison: Political Map
Central Cylindrical
![Central Cylindrical](/img/political/central-cylindric.png)
Mercator
![Mercator](/img/political/mercator-84.png)
3. Comparison: Silhouette Map
![Central Cylindrical Silhouette Map](/img/rot/central-cylindric.png)
![Mercator Silhouette Map](/img/gruen/mercator-84.png)
4. Comparison: Tissot Indicatrix, 30°
Central Cylindrical
![Central Cylindrical Tissot Indicatrix](/img/tissot-30/central-cylindric.jpg)
Mercator
![Mercator Tissot Indicatrix](/img/tissot-30/mercator-84.jpg)