[Proj] Standard projection for Mediterranean basin

[Luigi Ponti]

On 20:59, Gerald I. Evenden wrote:
> On Saturday 13 February 2010 12:28:57 pm Luigi Ponti wrote:
>   
>> Hello,
>>
>> I use PROJ.4 via GRASS GIS, and I would like to know if anyone is aware
>> of a standard projection for mapping the whole Mediterranean basin. I
>> need to do raster-based statistics on the maps, so I guess what I am
>> looking for is an equal area projection.
>>
>> What I have found on the Web is a GIS built by the Joint Research Center
>> (JRC http://www.jrc.ec.europa.eu/) that used Lambert Azimuthal Equal
>> Area (LAEA) for the Mediterranean:
>> http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/info/faq.htm#projection
>>
>> However, it adopted the same projection center for both Europe and the
>> Mediterranean (0 °E and 48 °N). Is this correct?
>>
>> There is also a workshop report
>> http://www.ec-gis.org/sdi/publist/pdfs/annoni-etal2003eur.pdf
>>
>> that recommended LAEA with projection center 9 °E and 53 °N to be used
>> for statistical mapping in the European Union.
>>
>> Based on this background it seems like LAEA would be fine. However, I am
>> unsure if there is a standard projection center and datum.
>>
>> Thank you for any hints. Kind regards,
>>
>> Luigi
>>
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>>     
>
> Personal opinion: because you seem to have your own project needs that has not 
> shown a need to match any existing projection I would, because of the general 
> E-W shape of your region, select Albers Equal Area conic. With reasonably 
> selected parallels is should give you less distortion at the extremities than 
> the azimuthal projection.
>   

Thank you -- this sounds like a very good suggestion.

> A little parameter tuning needs to be done.
>   

Really have no clue on how to go about this, but will give it a try. 
 From what you say, I understand that it would basically be a matter of 
finding the right standard parallels: is there a rule of thumb for this?

Thanks again,

Luigi

> I would not be prejudiced by projections where the needs to cover the entire 
> continent are are the primary consideration.
>
>   

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