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.  | 
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1. Comparison: Physical Map
2. Comparison: Political Map
Central Cylindrical
                
            Mercator
                
            3. Comparison: Silhouette Map
            
            4. Comparison: Tissot Indicatrix, 30°
Central Cylindrical
                
            Mercator
                
            

