The most common projection for world maps is the Mercator projection, which was invented by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569. This projection is widely used in schools, atlases, and navigation due to its ability to accurately represent direction and shape. The Mercator projection works by projecting the Earth's surface onto a cylinder, which is then unrolled into a flat map. This results in distortions at the poles, making them appear much larger than they actually are. Despite these distortions, the Mercator projection is still the preferred choice for many applications because of its usefulness in preserving angles and navigational properties. One of the key reasons why the Mercator projection became so popular is its ability to aid in navigation. Sailors and navigators found this projection particularly useful because straight lines on the map represent constant compass bearings, making it easier to plot courses and navigate across long distances. While the Mercator projection has been widely used for centuries, it has also faced criticism for its distortion of size, particularly towards the poles. This has led to the development of alternative map projections, such as the Peters projection, which aims to provide a more accurate representation of the relative sizes of land masses. For more information on the Mercator projection and its use in cartography, you can visit websites such as National Geographic's Cartographic Guidelines (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/maps/map-projections/) or the British Cartographic Society (https://www.cartography.org.uk/projections/types-of-projection/mercator-projection/). These resources offer in-depth explanations of different map projections and their applications in geography and navigation. In conclusion, the Mercator projection, invented by Gerardus Mercator in 1569, remains the most common projection for world maps due to its ability to preserve angles and aid in navigation. While it has its limitations in terms of size distortion, the Mercator projection continues to be a valuable tool for cartographers, educators, and navigators around the world.

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