An efficient technique for creating a continuum of equal-area map projections

Equivalence (the equal-area property of a map projection) is important to some categories of maps. However, unlike for conformal projections, completely general techniques have not been developed for creating new, computationally reasonable equal-area projections. The literature describes many specific equal-area projections and a few equal-area projections that are more or less configurable, but flexibility is still sparse. This work develops a tractable technique for generating a continuum of equal-area projections between two chosen equal-area projections. The technique gives map projection designers unlimited choice in tailoring the projection to the need. The technique is particularly suited to maps that dynamically adapt optimally to changing scale and region of interest, such as required for online maps.     

An adaptable equal-area pseudoconic map projection

Equivalence (the equal-area property of a map projection) is important to some categories of maps. However, unlike conformal projections, completely general techniques do not exist for creating new, computationally reasonable equal-area projections. The literature describes many specific equal-area projections and a few equal-area projections that are more or less configurable, but flexibility is still sparse. This work describes a new, highly configurable equal-area projection system consisting of arcs of concentric circles, placing it in the pseudoconic class. The system uses a novel technique to hybridize the Bonne pseudoconic projection and the Albers conic projection, subsuming many existing projections as degenerate cases. With the resulting system and the technique used to develop it, map projection designers will have greater choice in tailoring the projection to the need. The system may be particularly suited to maps that dynamically adapt to changing scale and region of interest, such as required for online maps.     

A COMBINED CYLINDRICAL PROJECTION

Abstract

The projection in question is a mean between Mercator's and the Equal-Area Cylindrical Projection which is formed by orthographic projection from the sphere upon the circumscribing cylinder. Both projections are computed on the spherical assumption. Mercator's Projection is, of course, the best known of the orthomorphic group; the Equal-Area Cylindrical Projection is the simplest of the equal-area group. Each projection may be said to represent an extreme case; and the mean between them may perhaps, for some purposes, be a useful compromise.     

Enhancing adaptive composite map projections: Wagner transformation between the Lambert azimuthal and the transverse cylindrical equal-area projections

The adaptive composite map projection technique changes the projection to minimize distortion for the geographic area shown on a map. This article improves the transition between the Lambert azimuthal projection and the transverse equal-area cylindrical projection that are used by adaptive composite projections for portrait-format maps. Originally, a transverse Albers conic projection was suggested for transforming between these two projections, resulting in graticules that are not symmetric relative to the central meridian. We propose the alternative transverse Wagner transformation between the two projections and provide equations and parameters for the transition. The suggested technique results in a graticule that is symmetric relative to the central meridian, and a map transformation that is visually continuous with changing map scale.     

Equal-Area Projections of the Triaxial Ellipsoid: First Time Derivation and Implementation of Cylindrical and Azimuthal Projections for Small Solar System Bodies

Many small solar system bodies such as asteroids or small satellites have irregular shapes, often approximated by the reference surface of a triaxial ellipsoid. Map projections for the triaxial ellipsoid are needed to present the incoming data in the form of maps. In this paper the formulae of equal-area cylindrical and azimuthal projections of the triaxial ellipsoid were derived and practically implemented for the first time using as an example the asteroid 253 Mathilde. This paper is the final in a series of papers devoted to all main classes of projections of the triaxial ellipsoid. Before this, the authors obtained equidistant along meridians projection and Jacobi conformal projection for the triaxial ellipsoid.     

A bevy of area-preserving transforms for map projection designers

ABSTRACT

Sometimes map projection designers need to create equal-area projections to best fill the projections’ purposes. However, unlike for conformal projections, few transformations have been described that can be applied to equal-area projections to develop new equal-area projections. Here, I survey area-preserving transformations, giving examples of their applications and proposing an efficient way of deploying an equal-area system for raster-based Web mapping. Together, these transformations provide a toolbox for the map projection designer working in the area-preserving domain.     

Equal Area Map Projection for Irregularly Shaped Objects

Approximately half of the planetary bodies in our solar system imaged by spacecraft have irregular shapes. Since maps are used to record, interpret and display these irregularly shaped bodies, a special map projection, which can display them faithfully, is desirable. Unfortunately, no mathematical approach that permits true conformal or equal-area projections has been developed. In this paper, a novel approach to construct a special equal area map projection for irregularly shaped objects is suggested. Using this innovative approach, equal area map projections for two Martian satellites—Phobos and Deimos are—developed.     

All Equal-Area Map Projections Are Created Equal,But Some Are More Equal Than Others

High-resolution regional and global raster databases are currently being generated for a variety of environmental and scientific modeling applications. The projection of these data from geographic coordinates to a plane coordinate system is subject to significant areal error. Sources of error include users selecting an inappropriate projection or incorrect parameters for a given projection, algorithmic errors in commercial geographic information system (GIS) software, and errors resulting from the projection of data in the raster format. To assess the latter type of errors, the accuracy of raster projection was analyzed by two methods. First, a set of 12 one-degree by one-degree quadrilaterals placed at various latitudes was projected at several raster resolutions and compared to the projection of a vector representation of the same quadrilaterals. Second, several different raster resolutions of land cover data for Asia were projected and the total areas of 21 land cover categories were tabulated and compared. While equal-area projections are designed to specifically preserve area, the comparison of the results of the one-degree by one-degree quadrilaterals with the common equal area projections (e.g., the Mollweide) indicates a considerable variance in the one-degree area after projection. Similarly, the empirical comparison of land cover areas for Asia among various projections shows that total areas of land cover vary with projection type, raster resolution, and latitude. No single projection is best for all resolutions and all latitudes. While any of the equal-area projections tested are reasonably accurate for most applications with resolutions of eight-kilometer pixels or smaller, significant variances in accuracies appear at larger pixel sizes.     

A COMBINED PROJECTION

Abstract

The projection in question is a mean between the Cylindrical Equivalent (Equal-Area) Projection and its Transverse Projection. The position of any point on the earth's surface is defined by the mean x and the mean y of the two constituent projections.     

Recent literature in cartography and geographic information science

Tissot's Indicatrix and regular grids have been used for assessing map projection accuracies. Despite their broad applicability for accuracy assessment, they have limitations in quantifying resampling errors caused by map projections. This is due to the structural uncertainty with regard to the placement and pattern of grids. It is also difficult to calculate the absolute amount of resampling error in each projection. As an alternative to traditional testing methods, the use of random points was investigated. Specifically, random point generation, resampling with spherical block search algorithms, resampling accuracy with a perfect grid, and resampling accuracy with eight projections were investigated and are discussed here. Eight global referencing methods were tested: the equal-area cylindrical, sinusoidal, Mollweide, Eckert IV, Hammer-Aitoff, interrupted Goode homolosine, integerized sinusoidal projections, and the equal area global gridding with a fixed latitudinal metric distance. The resampling accuracy with a perfect grid is about 75 percent. Results showed the sinusoidal and the integerized sinusoidal projections and equal-area global gridding to achieve the highest accuracies.     

Map projection errors in the Weber problem

 When demand points are given as a planar map where projection method is explicitly stated, we usually know the latitudes and longitudes of these points from the map. Then we can solve the Weber problem on the globe, and we do not suffer from errors. This paper analyses how cylindrical projections cause distortion in the Weber problem when demands are distributed on the Northern Hemisphere. First, we demonstrate that planar solutions are always located south of the spherical solution if the Mercator projection, the equirectangular projections with standard parallels near the demands, or the equal-area projection with the same characteristic is chosen. Second, we verify that this geographical tendency is inclined to hold when the demand points, are distributed symmetrically, widely or toward the north. Received: 15 August 2001 / Accepted: 20 April 2002 This paper was partially written while the first author was visiting the Department of Geography at the Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium [1993–1994]. He is grateful for the hospitality of this department. An earlier version of this paper was presented in 1994 at the Seventh Meeting of the European Operational Research Working Group on Locational Analysis in Brussels, and in 1996 at the Fifth World Congress of the Regional Science Association International in Tokyo. The authors would also like to thank the participants as well as three anonymous referees for their constructive comments.     

Calculating Map Projections for the Ellipsoid

Application of standard map projections to the ellipsoidal Earth is often considered excessively difficult. Using a few symbols for frequently-used combinations, exact equations may be shown in compact form for ellipsoidal versions of conformal, equal-area, and equidistant projections developed onto the cone, cylinder (in conventional position), and plane, as well as for the polyconic projection. Series are needed only for true distances along meridians. The formulas are quite interrelated. The ellipsoidal transverse and oblique Mercator projections remain more involved. An adaptation of the Space Oblique Mercator projection provides a new ellipsoidal oblique Mercator which, unlike Hotine's, retains true scale throughout the length of the central line.     

New measures for analysis and comparison of shape distortion in world map projections

ABSTRACT

World maps can have quite different depictions of reality depending on the projection adopted, and this can influence our perception of the world. In this respect, shape is a significant property that needs to be considered, especially when representing large regions in general-purpose world maps. A map projection distorts most geometric properties (area, distance, direction/angle, shape, and specific curves) and usually preserves a single property or provides a compromise between different properties when transforming terrestrial features from globe to plane. The distortions are mainly classified based on area, distance and direction/angle and analyzed with Tissot’s theorem. However, this theorem offers a local (pointwise) solution, so the distortion assessment is valid at infinitesimal scale (i.e. for very small regions). For this reason, different approaches are required to analyze the distortions at finite scale (i.e. for larger regions). However, there are very few attempts at analyzing and comparing shape distortion of landmasses in world map projections owing to the fact that shape measurement is difficult and usually involves measuring different characteristics. Seeking to fill this gap, in this study, compactness and elongation distortion measures are introduced. In this regard, 16 world map projections are analyzed and compared with these distortion measures in a GIS environment, based on map datasets of continents and countries. An analysis of the effect of the levels of detail of the datasets is also presented.     

A SEMI-GRAPHIC CONSTRUCTION FOR THE CONICAL ORTHOMORPHIC PROJECTION WITH ONE STANDARD PARALLELt

Abstract

The advantages of orthomorphic projections for topographical maps, whether for civil or military uses, have been increasingly realised in recent years. This has led to their gradual adoption as bases for map series by the leading countries, the conical type having been adopted in France for the new 1 : 50,000 maps, in Canada for the National Defence maps and in Britain by the Directorate of Military Survey for some useful European series. Appreciation of the nature and properties of graticules can best be achieved through an understanding of the theory of the projection system, whether the exposition be mathematically or partly graphically developed. Whereas the cylindrical and zenithal types of the orthomorphic projections have some explanation in graphical form there has been no comparable alternative to the difficult mathematical treatment of the conical type. The semi-graphic method presented here has been developed to contribute towards such a graphical exposition and in its method demands only a modest mathematical ability.     

Numerical Evaluation of the Robinson Projection

The Robinson projection is one of the most preferred projections for world reference maps in atlas cartography. The projection is constructed from Robinson's look-up table since there are no analytical formulas. This deficiency has led to a number of requests for the plotting formulas to which cartographers have responded by deriving analytical equations using different interpolation algorithms applied to Robinson's table values. The Robinson projection was examined with regard to its deformations calculated by four different algorithms, including the multiquadratic method. The numerical evaluations were then used to compare the algorithms. Solutions have been presented including some criticisms about this projection. The latitudes along which the scale is true and on which the maximum angular distortion equals zero have been determined.     

Symbolization of Map Projection Distortion: A Review

One of the most fundamental steps in map creation is the transformation of information from the surface of a globe onto a flat map. Mapmakers have developed and used hundreds of different map projections over the past 2,000 years, yet there is no perfect choice because every map projection uniquely alters some aspect of space during the transformation process. Detailed information about the type, amount, and distribution of distortion is essential for choosing the best projection for a particular map or data set. The distortion inherent in projections can be measured and symbolized much like any other map variable. Methods for symbolizing map projection distortion are reviewed, with each method described and illustrated in graphical form. The symbolization methods are collected under ten separate headings organized from simple to more complex in terms of interpretation. Most of these methods are highly effective at communicating distortion, yet they are rarely used beyond textbooks and technical documentation. Map projections and the distortions they carry need to be better understood by spatial data developers, distributors, and users. Map distortion should be carried along with map data as confidence layers, and the easily accessible distortion displays should be available to help in the selection of map projections. There is a suitably wide array of symbolization methods to match any need from basic education to research.     

Variations of the Gringorten Square Equal-area Map Projection

Gringonen's square equal-area map projection has been forgotten since its appearance in 1972. I describe a modern implementation, including details of how to arrange, in different ways, the fundamental Gringonen projection of a sexadecant (one sixteenth of the surface of the sphere) onto a triangle. The Gringorten Mark I projection is an arrangement in which one hemisphere forms a square, with the other hemisphere disposed around it so that the whole sphere projects as a diamond, which may then be rotated to appear as a square. I introduce an alternative arrangement, the Gringorten Mark II, which is twice as high as it is wide, with one hemisphere on top of the other. These variants are compared with some other square map projections. Maps that fill a rectangular space completely can be very useful where, as on computer screens, space is limited and must be used efficiently.     

中国海岸带专用地图投影设计

地图投影是各类海岸带信息的空间定位框架要素之一。通过对目前我国海岸带常用的各种地图投影现状分析,设计并实现全国海岸带专用投影———斜轴等角圆锥投影,该投影不仅使得整个中国海岸带实现无缝的一体化表达,而且使变形达到最小。文中详细阐述该投影的设计思想和设计原理,并将结果与其他各种海岸带投影进行详细的分析比较。     

变比例尺地图投影系统

本文对编制城市游览图提出了变比例尺地图投影系统。通过由普通城市平面图向辅助球面作逆投影A,再由辅助球面向平面作非A投影,构成了变比例尺地图的数学基础。由不同性质的投影的组合,能起到适应不同城市街区结构的特点。使本系统具有相当的灵活性。文中还讨论了辅助球适宜的大小和不同方位投影之间的变换公式。文末试作了北京市的变比例尺地图。     

THE ORTHOMORPHIC PROJECTION OF THE SPHEROID—IV

Abstract

We now turn to a question which has received much attention of recent years; the possibility of transforming angular and linear field measures to an orthomorphic projection so that the results of a survey may be computed directly in plane Co-ordinates without having to go through the spheroid at all. Initially, orthomorphic projections were introduced into surveying practice for this very object. Over short lines they import so little distortion of angles that minor surveys, whose error of angular measurement is comparable with such distortion, may be reduced in the rectangular co-ordinate system of an orthomorphic projection just as if the earth were flat. But the present application goes far beyond that. We no longer ignore distortions of angles and lengths, but systematically introduce them into the field measures so that work of higher precision and of considerable extent may also be computed and adjusted in plane co-ordinates.