Mercator projection, Definition, Uses, & Limitations
![Mercator projection, Definition, Uses, & Limitations](https://cdn.britannica.com/55/109155-050-9FE4B08C/simple-cylindrical-projection-earth-map-globe-mercator.jpg)
The Mercator projection is a map projection introduced by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569. The Mercator projection is a useful navigation tool, as a straight line on a Mercator map indicates a straight course, but it is not a practical world map, because of distortion of scale near the poles.
![](https://www.visualcapitalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/greenland-distortion.png)
The Problem With Our Maps
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/World_Scale_from_DMA_Series_1150_map.png/600px-World_Scale_from_DMA_Series_1150_map.png)
Mercator projection - Wikipedia
![](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228700104/figure/fig5/AS:668618551484419@1536422493136/Gerardus-Mercator-source-Wikipedia-and-a-World-map-using-the-Mercator-projection-The.jpg)
Gerardus Mercator (source: Wikipedia) and a World map using the
![](https://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/latest/map/projections/GUID-14D04E5C-4511-4D81-A494-CBA486898955-web.png)
Miller cylindrical—ArcMap
![](https://www.learncbse.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Practical-Work-in-Geography-Class-11-Solutions-Chapter-4-Map-Projections-Activity-Q2.png)
Practical Work in Geography Class 11 Solutions Chapter 4 Map Projections - Learn CBSE
![](https://www.lovelljohns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/674px-1801_Cary_Map_of_the_World_on_Mercator_Projection_-_Geographicus_-_WorldMerc-cary-1801.jpg)
The Mercator Projection – How interactive maps can wrongly influence our perception of the world
![](https://rwu.pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/7/2019/05/Robinson_projection_SW.jpg)
2.3 Map Projections – Introduction to Oceanography
![](https://external-preview.redd.it/b0Gb613YVIYzCQReqRIVfGQmUCB6J05ZzomINr0xDlc.jpg?auto=webp&s=40ae9d1046d4cb6d273867695d54ebf9112d51dc)
Why don't we start using a more accurate world map rather than the conventional Mercator map? : r/Maps
![](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/220466571/figure/fig7/AS:669969989783560@1536744701259/Mercator-projection-of-the-earth-created-with-GMT.png)
4: Mercator projection of the earth (created with GMT).