SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-mercator-cylindrical-projection

What basic shape is used to explain a Mercator map projection?

A Mercator map is a cylindrical projection.

Start playing free

  1. A flat triangle
  2. A cylinder ✔
  3. A cone

Why: A map projection transfers a round world onto a flat surface. The Mercator method is described as cylindrical, while a conic projection uses a cone.

Huh, didn't know that: Every flat world map distorts some combination of shape, area, distance, or direction.

The dad joke
Why did the map wrap around the tube? It wanted to project confidence!
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: A cylinder. A map projection transfers a round world onto a flat surface. The Mercator method is described as cylindrical, while a conic projection uses a cone.

  1. Civil Air Patrol, Journey of Flight Teacher's Guide www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/2nd_edition_Teachers_Guide_5D3166D76F9B1.pdf
    Mercator is a cylindrical projection of a map.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Flying & DronesWhat does latitude measure?Flying & DronesLongitude measures distance east or west of what line?Flying & DronesAbout how many statute miles does one degree of latitude cover?

That's stuff everyone should know.