LambertConformalConic

LambertConformalConic is a map projection used primarily for aeronautical charts, aeronautical navigation, and regional and national mapping. It belongs to the family of conformal conic projections, which accurately represent angles and shapes over small areas, making them suitable for mapping regions with an east-west orientation.

This projection is based on projecting the globe onto a cone that touches or intersects the earth's surface along one or two standard parallels. The Lambert Conformal Conic is especially effective for mapping mid-latitude regions with an east-west extent, such as North America and Europe. Its conformal nature preserves local angles and shapes, which is important for navigation and meteorological purposes.

The projection was developed by Johann Heinrich Lambert in the 18th century and has since become a popular choice for national and aviation maps. It can be parameterized with one or two standard parallels, which influence the shape and scale of the map. The standard parallels are chosen to minimize distortion across the mapped region.

In cartographic software and geographic information systems (GIS), LambertConformalConic is often implemented as a coordinate reference system (CRS). Its flexibility and accuracy in preserving angular relationships make it well-suited for various geographic applications, particularly over large, east-west oriented areas.

Overall, LambertConformalConic remains a fundamental projection in cartography, valued for its balance between shape preservation and geographic accuracy in regional mapping contexts.