About the Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area Projection
The Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area projection has a number of synonyms including: Lorgna; Zenithal Equal Area; Zenithal Equivalent; and Schmidt Equal Area.
This is the only polar equal area projection considered here. Distance and shape distortion increase from the center, but shape distortion is restricted to only 2% within 15° of the center.
The equal area property makes this projection useful for traditional equal area applications such as geostatistics and population density. Other (ie. non-polar) aspects can be used to display large areas such as entire continents.
This projection is also used in structural geology to plot geological orientations and to allow for the statistical analysis of dominant orientations. This information is hand-plotted using a graticule known as a Schmidt Net. This is often referred to as a Schmidt Equal Area Stereographic Projection (ITALICS) although it is not a true Stereographic projection.
See our interactive Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area Projection Northern Hemisphere map.