Balthasart Cylindrical Projection
Dec 29,2025

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Introduction

Balthasart Cylindrical Projection is a map projection method belonging to the cylindrical projection family. Cylindrical projections involve projecting the spherical surface onto a cylindrical surface, which is then unfolded, resulting in both meridians and parallels appearing as straight lines that intersect orthogonally. In this projection, the direction does not necessarily have to align with the Earth's axis (meaning the line of tangency between the sphere and the cylinder is not necessarily the equator), as any angle is possible. Based on the relative orientation of the projection surface to the Earth, it can be categorized into normal-axis, transverse-axis, oblique-axis cylindrical projections, as well as tangent and secant cylindrical projections. In the normal-axis projection, parallels are straight parallel lines, while meridians are straight parallel lines equally spaced and perpendicular to the parallels. The Balthasart Cylindrical Projection is primarily used for drawing world or regional maps, especially for index maps. It is suitable for low-latitude regions near the equator, while transverse or oblique-axis cylindrical projections are better suited for areas extending along a meridian or a specific great circle direction.

Projection Basic

The Balthasart Cylindrical Projection involves projecting the spherical surface onto a cylindrical surface, which is then unfolded, resulting in both meridians and parallels appearing as straight lines that intersect orthogonally. In this projection, the direction does not necessarily have to align with the Earth's axis, as any angle is possible. In the normal-axis projection, parallels are straight parallel lines, while meridians are straight parallel lines equally spaced and perpendicular to the parallels.

Pros

Orthogonal Meridians and Parallels: In the Balthasart Cylindrical Projection, both meridians and parallels are straight lines that intersect orthogonally, making map creation and reading more intuitive and convenient.
Suitable for Low-Latitude Regions: This projection is particularly suitable for low-latitude regions near the equator, as it effectively preserves the shapes and areas of these areas.
High Flexibility: The projection direction is not limited to aligning with the Earth's axis and can be set at any angle, allowing it to adapt to various map creation needs.

Cons

Severe Distortion in High-Latitude Regions: Distortion increases significantly with higher latitudes in the Balthasart Cylindrical Projection, particularly in high-latitude areas where shape and area distortions are more pronounced.
Unsuitable for Large-Scale Maps: Due to distortion issues, this projection is not suitable for creating large-scale maps, especially in high-latitude regions.
Significant Limitations: Although suitable for index maps, the Balthasart Cylindrical Projection has considerable limitations in applications requiring precise area or shape representation.

Application Scenario

The Balthasart Cylindrical Projection is primarily used for drawing world or regional maps, especially index maps, as its orthogonal meridians and parallels make map creation and reading more intuitive. This projection is particularly suitable for low-latitude regions near the equator, where it effectively preserves shapes and areas, though distortion becomes more significant in high-latitude regions. Due to its flexibility, the projection direction is not limited to aligning with the Earth's axis, allowing it to adapt to various map creation needs. However, it is better suited for small-scale or specific regional map displays.