Illustration of Mercator projection
Mercator projection
noun
: a conformal map projection of which the meridians are usually drawn parallel to each other and the parallels of latitude are straight lines whose distance from each other increases with their distance from the equator
Examples of Mercator projection in a Sentence
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Seasons in the Hindu Kush—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter,2009–11, has the spectator stand above crushed pots as if surveying terrain from above—the godlike perspective of the Mercator projection, where mountains become miniature and geography flattens into a navigable surface.
—
Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
In addition to the timetable, a world map (Mercator projection) is provided, showing the region where the occultation will be visible.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Africa’s smaller-than-actual cartographic footprint in the Mercator projection contributes to the global lack of attention for Africa.
—Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Mark Monmonier, a Syracuse University professor of geography, said the Mercator projection is obsolete and geographers have long advised people to not use it as a world map.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2025
On the mobile app, however, the Mercator projection remains the default.
—Reuters 4 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
But this is deceptive—Mercator projections are designed for navigation, not geographical comparison.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 10 Feb. 2025
On Mercator projections Greenland occupies as much area as the entire continent of South America.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
The famous Mercator projection—the one often found in classrooms across the U.S.—earned a score of 8.296.
—Rasha Aridi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Jan. 2022
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Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
In addition to the timetable, a world map (Mercator projection) is provided, showing the region where the occultation will be visible.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Africa’s smaller-than-actual cartographic footprint in the Mercator projection contributes to the global lack of attention for Africa.
—Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Mark Monmonier, a Syracuse University professor of geography, said the Mercator projection is obsolete and geographers have long advised people to not use it as a world map.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2025
On the mobile app, however, the Mercator projection remains the default.
—Reuters 4 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
But this is deceptive—Mercator projections are designed for navigation, not geographical comparison.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 10 Feb. 2025
On Mercator projections Greenland occupies as much area as the entire continent of South America.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
The famous Mercator projection—the one often found in classrooms across the U.S.—earned a score of 8.296.
—Rasha Aridi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Jan. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Mercator projection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Mercator%20projection. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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