Understanding projections

In this recipe, you will self-study different map projections in three types of projections: Azimuthal, Cylindrical, and Conical.

Note

For theory regarding the map projections, please refer to:

• Datums and Map Projections 2nd Edition Jonathan Iliffe and Roger Lott, Whittles Publishing, 2012
• Understanding Map Projections; Melita Kennedy and Steve Kopp , Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., 2000

In the map document CRS.mxd, there are marked with a red rectangle the main map projections for Europe as recommended by INSPIRE Directive in the Data Specification on Coordinate Reference Systems document.

Getting ready

While you inspect every map projection, try to identify the following:

• What is the projection type?
• What are the parameters necessary to define the projection (for example, latitude and longitude of the origin, first/second standard parallel, scaling factor, and false easting and northing for all coordinates)?
• What ellipsoid is used (from datum)?
• What features...