sinusoidal projection science definition

A map projection in which the parallels and a central meridian, usually the prime meridian, are straight lines and the other meridians are curved outward from the central meridian. Sinusoidal projection maps present accurate area and distance at every parallel and at the central meridian; distortion increases at the outer meridians and at high latitudes. It is often used in atlases to map Africa and South America. Compare conic projection, homolosine projection, Mercator projection.