Editing Map projection (section)

===Scale===
{{further|Map scale factor}}
A [[globe]] is the only way to represent the Earth with constant [[scale (map)|scale]] throughout the entire map in all directions. A map cannot achieve that property for any area, no matter how small. It can, however, achieve constant scale along specific lines.

Some possible properties are:
* The scale depends on location, but not on direction. This is equivalent to preservation of angles, the defining characteristic of a [[conformal map]].
* Scale is constant along any parallel in the direction of the parallel. This applies for any cylindrical or pseudocylindrical projection in normal aspect.
* Combination of the above: the scale depends on latitude only, not on longitude or direction. This applies for the [[Mercator projection]] in normal aspect.
* Scale is constant along all straight lines radiating from a particular geographic location. This is the defining characteristic of an equidistant projection such as the [[azimuthal equidistant projection]]. There are also projections (Maurer's [[two-point equidistant projection]], Close) where true distances from ''two'' points are preserved.<ref name="SnyderFlattening"/>{{rp|234}}