Projection Literacy Essentials

Approach the world of projections with confidence:

• There is no "best" projection — only the best one for your purpose
• Equal-area projections are essential for data maps where comparing sizes matters
• Conformal projections preserve local shapes and are essential for navigation
• Compromise projections (like Robinson) are best when no single property is critical
• Digital maps use Web Mercator by default — be aware of its area distortions at global scale

Once you understand projections, you stop taking a map at face value and start reading the choices behind it.