Map projection that mathematically projects the Earth’s surface onto a cylinder that is tangent at the equator. Directions and distances are only true at the equator. Distance, area, and shape distortion increases as one moves towards the poles. Very popular projection used in world maps. An abstraction of the real world that is used to depict, analyze, store, and communicate spatially organized information about physical and cultural phenomena. Cartographic process used to represent the Earth’s three-dimensional surface onto a two-dimension map. This process creates some type of distortion artifact on the map. An abstraction of the real world that is used to depict, analyze, store, and communicate spatially organized information about physical and cultural phenomena. Cartographic process used to represent the Earth’s three-dimensional surface onto a two-dimension map. This process creates some type of distortion artifact on the map. Source.