Azimuthal equidistant world map: how country sizes change

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Azimuthal equidistant projection: key facts and what it does to country sizes

Distortion class
Equidistant
Graticule type
Azimuthal
Creator
Anonymous; known since at least the 11th century
Year
c. 1000
Area
Distorted: stretching increases with distance from the center
Shape
Good near the center, strongly distorted at the outer rim
Distances
Partially preserved: true from the map center to every point
Angles and directions
Angles are distorted; azimuths (directions) from the map center are true

This map opens with the North Pole in the middle. Distances and directions measured from the pole are true, so every Tissot indicatrix keeps its true size along the meridian. Only the dimension along the parallel stretches, and the farther south, the more. At 60°N the ellipses are almost circles, 4% wider. At 30°N they are 21% wider, on the equator 57%, at 30°S already 2.4 times, and at 60°S more than five times. Their area grows in the same ratio.

The distance rings make the scale easy to read. The 2,500 km ring lies near 67.5°N, slightly north of the Arctic Circle, the 5,000 km ring at 45°N, the 10,000 km ring runs almost exactly along the equator, and the 15,000 km ring at 45°S. The South Pole, really a point, becomes the outer circle of the whole map. The 5° angular isocole lies at 49°N, and the 2× and 4× area isocoles at about 18.5°S and 51.5°S.

Poland is barely distorted here: at 52°N it is stretched sideways by only 7%. Drag it to 52°S, the latitude of the Falklands, and it becomes almost four times wider and almost four times larger. The “Warsaw” button moves the map's center to the Polish capital. Distances from Warsaw then become true, and its antipode, in the Pacific southeast of New Zealand, turns into the outer circle of the map. Choose Quito, almost on the equator, and the 10,000 km ring passes close to both poles.

Azimuthal equidistant map: frequently asked questions

What do the distance rings show on the azimuthal equidistant map?

The true distance from the center of the map. With the North Pole in the middle, the 2,500 km ring lies near 67.5°N, the 5,000 km ring at 45°N, the 10,000 km ring almost exactly along the equator and the 15,000 km ring at 45°S.

How can I measure distances from Warsaw on this map?

Use the Warsaw button: it moves the center of the map to the Polish capital, and then distances from Warsaw become true. The antipodal point, in the Pacific southeast of New Zealand, turns into the outer circle of the map.

How much does the azimuthal equidistant map distort Poland?

Hardly at all: at 52°N it is stretched across by only 7%. Dragged to 52°S, the latitude of the Falklands, it becomes almost four times wider and almost four times larger.

What happens to the South Pole on this map?

The South Pole, in reality a point, turns into the outer circle of the whole map. That is why at 60°S the ellipses are more than five times wider than tall, and at 30°S 2.4 times wider. The double and quadruple area isocoles lie near 18.5°S and 51.5°S.