AI-ASSISTED · EDITOR-REVIEWED

Theme brief

Every flat world map distorts area, shape, distance or direction. Start with the geographic extent and the property your comparison depends on, then choose a projection deliberately instead of accepting Web Mercator by default.

Official prompt
“The different ways of representing a globe on a flat surface.”
30DayMapChallenge 2026

02

WAYS IN

Four map ideas

01
Show the same world data in equal-area and conformal projections.
02
Use projection interruption as part of the composition.
03
Map flight directions on a globe and a flat map side by side.
04
Find the best projection for one country with a distortion diagram.

03

IN THE DIRECTORY

Recommended tools

Projection Wizard

Suggests projections from extent and cartographic purpose.

Free · View details

QGIS

Lets you reproject, compare and export with precise coordinate-system control.

Open source · View details

D3 (d3-geo)

Offers an unusually broad projection collection for interactive experiments.

Open source · View details

epsg.io

Looks up coordinate reference systems and their official definitions.

Free · View details

04

START WITH A CLEAR LICENSE

Data sources

Natural Earth administrative areas

Generalized world boundaries at multiple scales; read boundary notes.

Public domain Tissot indicatrix reference

Use or recreate distortion ellipses and follow each file license.

Varies by file Your own observations

Document the collection method, date and privacy decisions.

You choose the license

Licenses are a planning aid, not legal advice. Check the source record and version you actually download; terms can vary within a catalog.

05

BEFORE YOU EXPORT

Cartography check

Name the projection on the map and say what it preserves. “Looks good” is a design decision; “preserves area” is an analytical one.

06

COMMUNITY MAPS

Selected work

Selections begin after this theme closes.

First participate officially by posting publicly with #30DayMapChallenge. You can then suggest that original post for our independent MapTools picks. We link to the source, credit every author and use images only with permission.

Suggest for MapTools picks