The Transverse Mercator projection is similar to the Mercator Projection, except that the axis of the projection cylinder is rotated 90 degrees from the polar axis. This projection does not have the straight meridians and straight parallels of the Mercator projection, except for the central meridian, the two meridians 90 degrees away, and the equator. Nor does the Transverse Mercator projection have the straight rhumb lines of the Mercator projection; rather, it is a conformal projection. Scale is true along the central meridian or along two straight lines equidistant from and parallel to the central meridian.
The Transverse Mercator projection is the projection used in the State Plane Coordinate System for states with predominant north-south extent. It is also the geometric basis for the UTM Coordinate System.
The term Gauss-Kruger, or simply Gauss, refers to coordinate systems in parts of the world, for example, Germany and South America, based on the Transverse Mercator projection.
The "Transverse Mercator" projection has the following parameters:
- False Northing
- False Easting
- Longitude of the Central Meridian
- Latitude of the Origin of the Projection
- Scale Reduction Factor at the Central Meridian