Cylindrical equal area projection
Also called: Lambert's projection · Topic: Map Projections · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 4 "Map Projections"
Meaning
The cylindrical equal area projection is also called Lambert's projection, after J.H. Lambert (1772). The globe is projected with parallel rays onto a cylinder that touches it at the equator. Parallels and meridians become straight lines crossing at right angles. Each parallel is as long as the equator, even at the poles. This stretches the land east-west. To make up for it, the parallels are placed closer and closer together towards the poles, which squashes the land north-south by the same amount. So area stays true, but shape is badly distorted poleward. Scale is true only along the equator.
Example
It is best for the belt between 45°N and 45°S, and for maps of tropical crops. For example, it is used for a map of tea in Assam, rubber in Kerala and coffee in Karnataka, compared with the same crops in other tropical countries.
Don't confuse with
- Mercator's projection: this is also cylindrical, but it spaces the parallels farther apart towards the poles. So it keeps shape and enlarges area. This projection does the opposite.