Mercator

Mercator typically refers to Gerardus Mercator, a 16th‑century Flemish cartographer who Latinized his surname from Kremer. Born in 1512 in Rupelmonde, he became a leading figure in the scientific study of geography and mapmaking, and his work helped shape modern cartography. He is best known for introducing a widely used map projection and for advancing the practice of compiling systematic geographical texts.

The Mercator projection, introduced in 1569, is a cylindrical, conformal map projection. It preserves local angles and shapes, making it advantageous for navigation because constant bearings appear as straight lines on the map. However, it distorts area increasingly with distance from the equator, exaggerating the size of regions at high latitudes. The projection has been influential in nautical charts and geographic education, and a variant of it is used in many modern online mapping systems.

In addition to the projection, Mercator contributed to cartographic publishing. His Atlas Sive Cosmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabricati Figurae was published posthumously in 1595, after his death, and was prepared with the help of his son Rumold Mercator. The atlas compiled contemporary geographical knowledge and showcased his cartographic methods.

Mercator’s legacy lies in the fusion of mathematical technique with practical navigation and geographic representation. While the projection remains a foundational tool in navigation and mapmaking, its distortions have led to ongoing debates about suitable uses and alternatives in different contexts, including modern web mapping known as Web Mercator.