The influence of projection transformations on degree of generalization of map contents

Abstract

This is the study about geographic aspect of mathematical projections of the Earth's sphere surface on a flat surface (plane or map) and it's influence on degree of generalization. The cartographic generalization is creative process of generating, but it may be said that it is also one of factors that refers to presentation the geographic reality at a map. The geographic maps can get one new meaning, generated but connotative too, by generalization, because main characteristics of spatial occurrences are emphasis by graphical expression - map. Among these influence factors on process of generalization is also the type of transformation in projection that we use for constructing the map. This refers usual to small-scaled maps and to change of scale factor with changing longitude and latitude. In this paper, it will be presented with more details connection between generalization and cartographic projections which are used for presentation sphere ellipsoid to plane (plan or map). Scale factor is very important because with change of longitude and latitude it is also changing, and it is the main indicator of transformations. That is the reason why the scale factor is presented with more details in this paper.