Kavrayskiy

Kavrayskiy is a map projection that was developed by the Russian cartographer Mikhail Kavrayskiy in 1934. It is a pseudocylindrical projection, meaning it projects the spherical surface of the Earth onto a cylinder, but it is not conformal, meaning it does not preserve angles. The Kavrayskiy projection is characterized by its straight vertical meridians and parallel horizontal parallels, which are spaced according to a sinusoidal curve. This results in a map that is visually appealing and has a distinctive, slightly elongated shape.

The projection is often used for thematic maps, such as those depicting population density, economic activity, or environmental data, because it provides a balanced representation of land areas and is aesthetically pleasing. It is less commonly used for navigational purposes due to its lack of conformality and the distortion it introduces in shape and area.

The Kavrayskiy projection is named after its creator, Mikhail Kavrayskiy, who was a prominent figure in the field of cartography during the Soviet era. His work on map projections contributed to the development of modern cartographic techniques and has had a lasting impact on the field.