ATLAS / PLATE 002
Finding the thin line between optimising a projection and distorting a map using key trade routes.
What would a world map look like if it were built to answer one question well?
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C1 / 01
Every flat world map sacrifices something by being flat. Mercator protects local angles. Equal Earth protects area. This Plate asks what happens when the declared priority is one specific network of distances.
C2 / 02
I chose six cities: London, Lagos, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore and Shanghai. That gives 15 pairwise relationships. The map is judged against those distances rather than against a vague idea of overall correctness.
C3 / 03
Each projection makes a different tradeoff. Mercator is conformal, so local angles survive. Equal Earth protects area. The optimised projection gives up general-purpose balance to fit this particular network unusually well.
C4 / 04
The optimised map cuts network-distance RMS error to 2.42%, compared with 11.97% for Mercator and 9.99% for Equal Earth. That improvement has a cost. Equal Earth remains the clear area-preserving option, while the optimised map accepts more angular and area distortion to serve its declared task.
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