Best projection for an equatorial continent map?

[Robulous]

I'm mapping an equatorial continent on my fantasy world that's roughly the shape and position of North Africa, extending to about 35 degrees south. I have it in equidistant which is fine, but I wonder what projection would be best to show equal distance? Any suggestions?

Also any recommendations for what software to use to make projections?

[Mouse]

Hello Robulous

I don't know much about map projections... I expect you have already found it anyway, but just in case you hadn't I found a list of them in a comparison table here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_map_projections

[johnvanvliet]

Mercator is a standard used in navigation for non polar areas

[waldronate]

http://www.geo.hunter.cuny.edu/~joch...projection.htm may offer some help (it was the first hit from a googly search for "choosing a map projection" (no quotes) ).

[Falconius]

Mercator is a standard used in navigation for non polar areas

Mercator doesn't maintain distances, it maintains lines of bearing. ie You can draw a straight line on the map and just stick to that compass bearing and you'll follow that line.

[Robulous]

Mercator and equirectangular are both cylindrical projections so have similar problems, I'm more looking for some kind of azimuthal projection. I'll have a play around.

I was really hoping someone could recommend some projection software? I had a tool on my old PC which was very useful, but can't remember what it was called!

[johnvanvliet]

qgis is good , it uses GDAL

for somethings i use the terminal program "mmps"
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~arcus/mmps/

some here use wilbur to remap some things

[Mouse]

Do you mean this one?

http://www.flexprojector.com/

[Falconius]

Other than the Nasa Map Projector, I know of none. And that can only project from equirectangular and only whole globes.

[Azélor]

To complete Falconius message:
http://www.giss.nasa.gov/tools/gprojector/