Gerardus Mercator (geographer)

Gerardus Mercator was a skilled 16th-century cartographer who created detailed maps and, most notably, the Mercator projection in 1569. This map projection accurately represents the Earth's surface on a flat plane while preserving angles, making navigation easier by showing straight-line courses for ships. Though it distorts the size of landmasses near the poles, it remains influential for navigation and mapmaking. Mercator's work significantly advanced geographic understanding, helping explorers and sailors navigate the world more effectively. His innovations laid the foundation for modern cartography and our ability to visualize global geography accurately.