One type of flat map which depicts figures transformed from the surface of a sphere in their original forms (shapes). There is no one type of map projection that can "project" figures from a sphere onto a flat surface without distortions in either shape or size (see Equal Area Projection).

Projection on which all angles at each point are preserved. Also called an orthomorphic projection

a map projection in which a small area is rendered in its true shape

A map projection in which angles are preserved; for example, parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude intersect at right angles. McIDAS-X supports Mercator, Lambert conformal, polar stereographic and tangent- cone conformal projections.

A projection wherein the scale is the same in every direction at any point. Meridians and parallels intersect at right angles; the shape of small areas and angles with very short sides are preserved. Most area values are distorted.