Coordinate Systems & Projections

Map projections and coordinate systems are at the heart of a map's utility as location and navigational aid.  The principles involved in selecting and/or analyzing a projection or coordinate system for a map are intuitive in nature, but the underlying concepts can become a bit complicated.

This map of Michigan is projected using the Hotine Oblique Mercator Azimuthal projection, which is an intimidatingly lengthy name, but means that this is a cylindrical, oblique version of the Mercator projection.  As such, it is conformal, and displays the state as accurately shaped.  This particular projection is suitable for Michigan because it doesn't divide the state into multiple zones, like a State Plane or UTM grid would, as the state encompasses multiple zones of both.  Also, as this is intended to be used as a general reference map, the projection is well suited because of its conformal nature, which preserves the distinctive mitten shape of the lower peninsula.