Gerardus Mercator (Cartographer)

Gerardus Mercator was a 16th-century Flemish cartographer best known for creating the Mercator projection, a map that represents the globe’s curved surface on a flat plane. This projection preserves angles, making it useful for navigation, as it allows sailors to plot straight-line courses. However, it distorts sizes, particularly near the poles. Mercator's work greatly influenced modern cartography, and his name is synonymous with world maps, showcasing his lasting impact on how we visualize and understand geography. His innovative approach to mapping laid the foundation for future advancements in cartography.