My Projection Collection:
Compare Projections
Mercator vs. Natural Earth
| Mercator | Natural Earth | |
|---|---|---|
| Creator | Gerardus Mercator (1569) | Tom Patterson (2011) |
| Group | Cylindric | Pseudocylindric |
| Property | Conformal | Compromise |
| Other Names | — | — |
| Remarks | Cut off at 84° North and South | Not to be confused with the Natural Earth II World Environment Map (also by Tom Patterson), which is used in nearly all projection images here. |
| recommended comparisons | Baker Dinomic Braun Perspective Central Cylindrical Kavraiskiy I |
Natural Earth II Robinson |
1. Comparison: Physical Map – scaled to fit
2. Comparison: Political Map – scaled to fit
Mercator
Natural Earth
3. Comparison: Silhouette Map – scaled to fit
4. Comparison: Tissot Indicatrix, 30° – scaled to fit
Mercator
Natural Earth
5. Comparison: Physical Map – scaled to same width
Mercator
Natural Earth
6. Comparison: Political Map – scaled to same width
Mercator
Natural Earth
7. Comparison: Silhouette Map – scaled to same width
8. Comparison: Tissot Indicatrix, 30° – scaled to same width
Mercator
Natural Earth
9. Comparison: Tissot Indicatrix, 15° – scaled to fit
Mercator
Natural Earth
10. Comparison: Tissot Indicatrix, 15° – scaled to same width
Mercator
Natural Earth


