User:Hebelman

DDC:pex

RE: your references as to the Mercator projection. The Mercator projection, is not based upon the projection of points from the surface of a globe onto the surface of a cylinder, but is plotted by means of Mathematical tables (derived by the use of a rather elaborate formula) to determine the progressively increasing distances of the parallels from the equator. These intervals between parallel* must increase in a prescribed manner in order to maintain an accurate ("conformal") representation of the shapes of geographical areas in the higher latitudes. This accuracy of shape is, however, maintained at the expense of an increasing distortion of size as the poles are approached. The poles are, in fact, never reached as they are at a mathematically infinite distance from equator. This results from the nature of the formula used to plot the projection. . This is, of course, a brief explanation of the Mercator projection; we suggest that you consult a standard work on cartography for a fuller discussion. Five such works are listed here: - Chamberlin, Wellman, The Round Earth on flat Paper. National Geographic Society, Washington, 1»47 Deetz. C. H. and 0. 8. Adams, Elements of Map Projection. United States Coast and Geodetic Survey,    ___Washington, various dates Hinks, A. R.. Map pro-lection.. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, Various dates Robinson, Arthur H.. Elements of Cartography. Hew York and London, various dates Steers, J.A. .An Introduction to the Study of Map Projections. University of London Press, 1957.