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Conformal Projection


A map projection which is a conformal mapping, i.e., one for which local (infinitesimal) angles on a sphere are mapped to the same angles in the projection. On maps of an entire sphere, however, there are usually singular points at which local angles are distorted.

The term conformal was applied to map projections by Gauss in 1825, and eventually supplanted the alternative terms "orthomorphic" (Lee 1944; Snyder 1987, p. 4) and "autogonal" (Tissot 1881, Lee 1944).

No projection can be both equal-area and conform, and projections which are neither equal-area nor conformal are sometimes called aphylactic (Lee 1944; Snyder 1987, p. 4).


See also

Conformal Mapping, Equidistant Projection, Lambert Conformal Conic Projection, Map Projection

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References

Lee, L. P. "The Nomenclature and Classification of Map Projections." Empire Survey Rev. 7, 190-200, 1944.Snyder, J. P. Map Projections--A Working Manual. U. S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1395. Washington, DC: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1987.Thomas, P. S. Conformal Projections in Geodesy and Cartography. Washington, DC: U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Spec. Pub. 251, 1952.Tissot, A. Mémoir sur la représentation des surfaces et les projections des cartes géographiques. Paris: Gauthier-Villars, 1881.

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Conformal Projection

Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Conformal Projection." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/ConformalProjection.html

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