Winkel Tripel world map: real size of countries

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Winkel Tripel projection: key facts and what it does to country sizes

Distortion class
Compromise
Graticule type
Modified azimuthal
Creator
Oswald Winkel
Year
1921
Area
Compromise: low mean distortion, although polar areas are exaggerated
Shape
Compromise: a good balance of shapes
Distances
Compromise: low mean scale distortion; scale is true along the central meridian
Angles and directions
Compromise: not conformal, with moderate angular distortion

Winkel Tripel, like Robinson, accepts a little error in both area and angles, but spreads it differently. The least distorted belt runs near the prime meridian between about 35° and 52° latitude: angles change there by less than 5°, and area is 10 to 35% larger than on the equator. Poland sits right in this belt. Its outline is enlarged by about a third, while its shape stays nearly faithful, with angles off by about 7°.

On the equator the Tissot indicatrices are taller than they are wide: near the middle of the map about 11% taller and 10% narrower than the circle, and near the edge, at 150° longitude, also enlarged by 18%. At 60° the pattern shifts: the ellipses closest to the middle, at 30° longitude, are enlarged by about 51% and change angles by 15°, while those at the edge are enlarged less, by 41%, but skewed by 48°. Far north, area therefore grows faster along the central meridian than at the sides.

The 1.5× area isocole crosses the central meridian at about 59.5°, and the 2× line at 71.5°. The poles are lines 39% as long as the equator, shorter than Robinson's, which is why the map has clearly rounded sides and is only 1.64 times as wide as it is tall.

Drag Poland to 72° and it grows by about half, with its angles changed by 30°. On the equator it shrinks to three quarters of its current size. In Alaska or New Zealand, far from the center, outlines are already visibly skewed, with angles changed by 45 to 50°.

Winkel Tripel map: frequently asked questions

How much does the Winkel Tripel map enlarge Poland?

Poland lies in the least distorted band of the map. Its outline is enlarged by about a third, and its shape stays nearly true, with angles changing by only about 7°. At 72°N it grows by about half, and on the equator it shrinks to three quarters.

Where is the Winkel Tripel projection most accurate?

In the strip near the prime meridian between about 35° and 52° latitude: angles change by less than 5° there, and area is 10 to 35% larger than on the equator. Farther away, especially near the edge, the errors grow.

Why are the poles lines on the Winkel Tripel map?

Each pole is drawn as a line about 39% as long as the equator, shorter than on Robinson. That rounds the sides of the map and makes its width only 1.64 times its height.

Does Winkel Tripel preserve area?

No. Area grows with latitude: the 1.5 isocole crosses the central meridian at about 59.5°, and area doubles at 71.5°. The error is spread so that there is no glaring failure anywhere.