Gerardus Mercator (5 March 1512 – 2 December 1594) was a 16th-century geographer, cosmographer and cartographer from the County of Flanders. He is most renowned for creating the 1569 world map based on a new projection which represented sailing courses of constant bearing (rhumb lines) as straight lines—an innovation that is still employed in nautical charts.
Born |
Gerardus Mercator 5 March 1512 Rupelmonde, County of Flanders
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Died |
2 December 1594 (aged 82) Duisburg, United Duchies of Jülich-Cleves-Berg, Germany
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Zodiac | Pisces |
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