In cartography, the equirectangular projection is a modification of the plate carrée projection, with the longitude lines (meridians) spaced closer together, forming rectangles with the latitude lines (parallels) instead of squares. In this projection, there are two standard parallels, resulting in less distortion at mid latitudes, but causing distortion at the Equator. Cartography or mapmaking (in Greek chartis = map and graphein = write) is the study and practice of making maps or globes. ... Equidistant cylindrical projection of the Globe Equidistant cylindrical projection of a composite satellite image (NASA) The plate carrée projection or equidistant cylindrical projection or geographic projection, is a very simple map projection that has been in use since the earliest days of spherical cartography. ... Map of Earth showing lines of longitude, which appear curved and vertical in this projection, but are actually halves of great circles Longitude, sometimes denoted by the Greek letter λ, describes the location of a place on Earth east or west of a north-south line called the Prime Meridian. ... Latitude, sometimes denoted by the Greek letter φ, gives the location of a place on Earth north or south of the Equator. ... The equator is an imaginary circle drawn around a planet (or other astronomical object) at a distance halfway between the poles. ...