An adaptable equal-area pseudoconic map projection

Abstract

ABSTRACTEquivalence (the equal-area property of a map projection) is important to some categories of maps. However, unlike conformal projections, completely general techniques do not exist for creating new, computationally reasonable equal-area projections. The literature describes many specific equal-area projections and a few equal-area projections that are more or less configurable, but flexibility is still sparse. This work describes a new, highly configurable equal-area projection system consisting of arcs of concentric circles, placing it in the pseudoconic class. The system uses a novel technique to hybridize the Bonne pseudoconic projection and the Albers conic projection, subsuming many existing projections as degenerate cases. With the resulting system and the technique used to develop it, map projection designers will have greater choice in tailoring the projection to the need. The system may be particularly suited to maps that dynamically adapt to changing scale and region of interest, such as required for online maps.