Definition: Mapmaker Gerardus Mercator (1512-1594) of Belgium created the Mercator Projection in 1569.
The Mercator Projection is a rectangular projection in which any line drawn on the map is a line of constant compass direction, useful for navigation at sea. All lines of latitude and longitude are straight lines on the map.
Common Misspellings: Mercador, Mercater
Examples:
Mercator maps and other rectangular projections are not recommended for displays of the world.
