Definition

Noun: A type of equal-area map projection that combines two other projections (the sinusoidal projection and the Mollweide projection) to minimize distortion across the entire map. It is specifically designed to show the continents with minimal shape distortion, accepting greater distortion in the oceans to achieve this goal.

Usage

The term "homolosine projection" is used in the fields of cartography and geography to describe a specific method of representing the spherical Earth on a flat surface. It is a technical term.

Examples

• The Goode homolosine projection is a well-known example that is often called an "orange-peel map" due to its distinctive interrupted shape.
• Cartographers may choose a homolosine projection when the accurate comparison of continental land areas is more important than representing the oceans correctly.
• This map uses a homolosine projection to preserve the relative sizes of all landmasses.

Advanced Usage

• "Goode homolosine projection": This is the most common specific implementation of the homolosine principle, developed by John Paul Goode in 1923. It is an interrupted projection, meaning the globe is represented in several lobes to further reduce distortion.
• The projection is described as "interrupted" because it has breaks in the map, usually over the oceans, to allow the continents to be depicted with greater fidelity.

Variants and Related Words

• Projection (n): The general method or system of representing a globe on a flat surface.
• Equal-area projection (n): A class of map projections where every region on the map has an area proportional to its area on the globe, though shapes may be distorted.
• Sinusoidal projection (n): One of the two projections combined to create the homolosine projection.
• Mollweide projection (n): The other projection combined to create the homolosine projection.

Synonyms

• Equal-area map projection (This is the broader category; "homolosine" is a specific type within it.)

Related Concepts

• Map distortion: All flat maps distort the surface of the Earth in some way, either in shape, area, distance, or direction. The homolosine projection prioritizes equal area.
• Cartography: The science or practice of drawing maps. The homolosine projection is a tool in this field.

Noun

1. an equal-area projection map of the globe; oceans are distorted in order to minimize the distortion of the continents