Simple Conic

Description

Also called equidistant conic or conic, this projection can be based on one or two standard parallels. As the name implies, all circular parallels are an equal distance from each other, spaced evenly along the meridians. This is true whether one or two parallels are used.

Illustration of equidistant conic projection

Projection method

Cone is tangential if only one standard parallel is specified and secant if two standard parallels are specified. Graticules are evenly spaced. The space between each meridian is equal, as is the space between each of the concentric arcs that describe the lines of latitude. The poles are represented as arcs rather than points.

If the pole is given as the single standard parallel, the cone becomes a plane and the resulting projection is the same as a polar azimuthal equidistant.

Learn more about the azimuthal equidistant projection

If two standard parallels are placed symmetrically north and south of the equator, the resulting projection is the same as equirectangular, and the equirectangular projection must be used. Use equirectangular if the standard parallel is the equator.

Learn more about the equirectangular projection

Lines of contact

Lines of contact depend on the number of standard parallels.

Linear graticules

All meridians.

Properties

Shape

Local shapes are true along the standard parallels. Distortion is constant along any given parallel. Distortion increases with distance from the standard parallels.

Area

Distortion is constant along any given parallel. Distortion increases with distance from the standard parallels.

Direction

Locally true along the standard parallels.

Distance

True along the meridians and the standard parallels. Scale is constant along any given parallel but changes from parallel to parallel.

Limitations

Range in latitude should be limited to 30°.

Uses and applications

Regional mapping of midlatitude areas that have a predominantly east–west extent.

Common for atlas maps of small countries.

Used by the former Soviet Union for mapping the entire country.

Parameters

Workstation

NoteNote:

Supported on spheres only.

geographic_coordinate_systems.pdf

A geographic coordinate systems pdf file which contains lists of supported gcs and vcs.

projected_coordinate_systems.pdf

A projected coordinate systems pdf file which contains lists of supported pcs.

geographic_transformations.pdf

A geographic transformations pdf file which contains lists of supported geographic and vertical transformations.

Number of standard parallels < 1 | 2 >

Type 1

  • Longitude of Central Meridian (DMS)
  • Latitude of origin (DMS)
  • Latitude of standard parallel (DMS)

Type 2

  • Longitude of the Central Meridian (DMS)
  • Latitude of the 1st standard parallel (DMS)
  • Latitude of the 2nd standard parallel (DMS)

Related Topics

3/3/2014