<p><strong>Why does Google maps use the inaccurate, ancient and distorted Mercator Projection? </strong><br /><span style="color: #0000ff;">par jfricker 04/08/2009</span></p>
<p>Dear Google Maps,</p>
<p>Every time I see a "Powered By Google" website display the default Google world map, I wince and wonder "why does the most sophisticated information technology company in the world use the most distorted and archaic world map known to humankind?".</p>
<p>The Mercator Projection distorts the world, giving the false impression that Greenland is the size of South America, Asia is ginormous and Alaska is bigger than Mexico - all inaccuracies that are being presented by Google. Google's reputation for accuracy means that these distortions are reinforced in our conscience as facts.</p>
<p>The Mercator Projection is 440 years old and provided one practical purpose - bearings can be accurately drawn. The utility of this begins and ends with nautical navigation - clearly not the primary purpose of Google maps.</p>
<p>I urge Google to be responsible with the world's knowledge and follow the advice of numerous cartographic associations that request that the Mercator Project not be used. For anything. Ever.</p>
<p>Many viable alternatives are available, including the Winkel Tripel projection which is the modern standard world map adopted by the National Geographic Society.</p>
<p>Is it not time for Google Maps to come forward, at least to the 20th century?</p>
<p>Thank you.<br />Map lover,<br />John</p>
<p>References<br />http://www.geekatlas.com/page/3338541:Page:164<br />http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa030201b.htm<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winkel_tripel_projection<br />http://www89.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=size+mexico+alaska<br />http://www89.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=size+greenland+south+america</p>
<p><strong>Photo du profil de Joel HGoogle Employee</strong><br /><span style="color: #0000ff;">04/08/2009</span><br />Ligne actuelle<br />Joel H a dit :<br />Hi John - Thanks for the feedback. Maps uses Mercator because it preserves angles. The first launch of Maps actually did not use Mercator, and streets in high latitude places like Stockholm did not meet at right angles on the map the way they do in reality. While this distorts a 'zoomed-out view' of the map, it allows close-ups (street level) to appear more like reality. The majority of our users are looking down at the street level for businesses, directions, etc... so we're sticking with this projection for now. In the meantime, you might want to look at our favorite 3D view of the world. [1]&nbsp;</p>