Antique Map of the World on the Mercator projection,1865

The Johnson Map of the World on the Mercator projection refers to a specific map created by A.J. Johnson in 1865. This map was designed using the Mercator projection, a cylindrical map projection that preserves straight lines and angles but distorts the size and shape of landmasses as they get farther away from the equator.

The Mercator projection became popular in the 16th century due to its ability to assist with navigation. It was originally developed by Gerardus Mercator, a Flemish cartographer. The projection is characterized by straight meridians (lines of longitude) and parallels (lines of latitude) that intersect at right angles, creating a grid-like appearance.

The Johnson Map of the World on the Mercator projection, like many maps of that era, would have depicted the continents and countries known at the time. However, it's important to note that maps from the 19th century may not accurately represent the political boundaries, territorial claims, or geographical knowledge of the present day.

Alvin Jewett Johnson (1827-1884) was an American map publisher and cartographer. He was born on September 23, 1827, in Wallingford, Vermont, United States. Johnson initially worked as a teacher and lawyer before turning his attention to mapmaking.

In 1860, Johnson founded A.J. Johnson & Company, a publishing firm based in New York City. The company specialized in producing atlases, maps, and other geographical publications. Johnson's maps were known for their attention to detail and accuracy, and he often incorporated the latest geographical information available at the time.

Johnson's most famous works include the "Johnson's New Illustrated (Steel Plate) Family Atlas," first published in 1860, and the "Johnson's World Atlas," which debuted in 1862. These atlases contained maps of various regions and countries, as well as thematic maps depicting topics like population, commerce, and transportation.

Johnson's maps were typically based on popular cartographic projections of the time, such as the Mercator projection, which allowed for easy navigation and measured distances accurately along the equator. However, like many maps of the era, they suffered from the distortions inherent in these projections, leading to inaccuracies in the representation of landmasses and their sizes.

Alvin Jewett Johnson's contributions to cartography helped popularize and disseminate detailed and accessible maps to a wider audience.

More maps of Alvin Jewett Johnson