Robinson projection

The Robinson projection is a compromise map projection that represents the world with curved meridians and straight central meridian. It balances distortion in shape, area, distance, and direction rather than preserving any one property.

Map projection: A systematic transformation of locations on a curved surface into positions on a flat map. The Robinson projection is one method for transforming the globe onto a plane.
Arthur H. Robinson: An American cartographer who developed the Robinson projection in the 1960s. He designed the projection for a National Geographic Society request for a more visually appealing world map.
Mercator projection: A conformal cylindrical map projection that preserves local angles and represents constant compass bearings as straight lines. Unlike Mercator, Robinson does not preserve local angles and keeps polar regions far less enlarged.
Thematic map: A map designed to show the geographic distribution of a particular subject or variable. Robinson can display global patterns without strongly privileging one kind of distortion.
Pseudocylindrical projection: A map projection with straight, parallel lines of latitude and curved meridians, except for the central meridian. The Robinson projection belongs to this family, with curved meridians meeting at the poles.
National Geographic Society: A nonprofit organization founded in 1888 that supports exploration, research, and geographic education. It adopted the Robinson projection for its world maps in 1988.
Gall–Peters projection: An equal-area cylindrical map projection that preserves area while greatly altering shapes. Its strict area preservation contrasts with Robinson's compromise across several distortion types.
World map: A map depicting the entire Earth or a substantial part of it. The projection was designed specifically to make whole-world maps visually balanced.
Robinson projection table: A set of tabulated coordinates defining the Robinson projection at selected latitudes. The projection is constructed by interpolating tabulated positions rather than using a simple analytic formula.
National Geographic world map: A world map published by the National Geographic Society for geographic reference and education. Its 1988 edition helped make the Robinson projection widely recognizable.

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Arno PetersCompared with: It offers a common alternative when overall appearance matters more than exact area.