Natural Earth Projections

 

 

Illustrations above: The Natural Earth (upper) and Natural Earth II (lower) projections.    Natural Earth II is a more rounded projection, with smaller polar regions.

 

The Natural Earth and Natural Earth II projections are pseudocylindrical projections that preserves neither scale nor area, but which present an aesthetically pleasing view of the entire world.

 

Scale

 

Not true anywhere.

 

Distortion

 

Not free of distortion anywhere but the severe distortion near outer meridians at high latitudes seems less objectionable than in other pseudocylindrical projections.  Like other general purpose pseudocylindrical projections, the Natural Earth projections distort shapes, areas, distances, directions, and angles.

 

Usage

 

Overview maps of the entire world intended to present thematic data and not intended to be used for distance or area measurement. The Natural Earth projections are often recommended as "good compromise" projections for world thematic maps.

 

Origin

 

Both Natural World projections were designed by Tom Patterson.  Bojan Šavrič, Bernhard Jenny, Tom Patterson, Dušan Petrovič​, and Lorenz Hurni published the mathematics for the Natural Earth projection in 2012. Bojan Šavrič, Bernhard Jenny, and Tom Patterson, and Bernhard Jenny published the mathematics for the Natural Earth II projection in 2015.

 

Options

 

Specify the center longitude to center the map projection. This is normally the 0 meridian.   Scale X, Scale Y, False easting and False northing may also be specified.