Polyconic |
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Release 9.2
Last modified August 3, 2007 |
Print all topics in : "Supported map projections" |
The name of this projection translates into "many cones". This refers to the projection methodology. This affects the shape of the meridians. Unlike other conic projections, the meridians are curved rather than linear.
More complex than the regular conic projections, but still a simple construction. This projection is created by lining up an infinite number of cones along the central meridian. This projection yields parallels that are not concentric. Each line of latitude represents the base of its tangential cone.
Many lines; all parallels of latitude in the projection.
Central meridian of the projection and the equator.
Distortion is minimized on large-scale maps, such as topographic quadrangles, where meridians and parallels can be drawn in practice as straight-line segments. Producing a map library with this kind of map sheet is not advisable because errors accumulate and become visible when joining sheets in multiple directions.
Used for 71/2 and 15 minute topographic USGS quad sheets, from 1886 until approximately 1957.
Some new quad sheets after this date have been falsely documented as Polyconic. The present projection for east–west State Plane Coordinate System zones is Lambert Conformal Conic and Transverse Mercator for north–south state zones.
Learn more about the State Plane Coordinate System
Learn more about the Lambert Conformal Conic projection
Learn more about the Transverse Mercator projection