Mathematics and Map Drawing in the Eighteenth Century

Abstract

We consider the mathematical theory of geographical maps, with an emphasis on the eighteenth century works of Euler, Lagrange and Delisle. This period is characterized by the frequent use of maps that are no more obtained by the stereographic projection or its variations, but by much more general maps from the sphere to the plane. More especially, the characteristics of the desired geographical maps were formulated in terms of an appropriate choice of the images of the parallels and meridians, and the mathematical properties required by the map concern the distortion of the maps restricted to these lines. The paper also contains some notes on the general use of mathematical methods in cartography in Greek Antiquity and in the modern period, and on the mutual influence of the two fields, mathematics and geography. The final version of this paper will appear in Ganita Bharati (Indian mathematics).