In order for Mistrals program to resolve complicated geographic trigonometry to the simple but rigid matrix of a computer monitor the familiar Cartesian Projection method has been used to display world maps. Whilst this means that very accurate positioning (using Latitude and Longitude co-ordinates) can be achieved it does mean that map scales are increasingly distorted in the vertical axis progressively further north or south from the Equator. (This is why Polar regions appear disproportionally large on this type of projection).
Whilst the program has not been designed for purposes of calculating distances between relative positions it is nonetheless interesting to know the approximate scales employed by the program. Regardless of monitor size, pixel resolution and zoom level, the portion of the worlds surface displayed at any time is constant from one monitor to another. The following scale is therefore shown to indicate the approximate distances in both miles and kilometres across the map display form at its maximum zoom level.
Another (this time quite useless but at the same time fascinating) statistic is that Mistrals program is theoretically capable of generating over 64,000 unique map images of the world. It would take you a long time to see them all!
Latitude Miles Kilometres Width Height Width Height 70šN 157 X 150 251 X 240 65šN 169 X 150 270 X 240 60šN 181 X 150 289 X 240 55šN 193 X 150 309 X 240 50šN 205 X 150 328 X 240 45šN 217 X 150 347 X 240 40šN 229 X 150 367 X 240 35šN 241 X 150 386 X 240 30šN 253 X 150 405 X 240 25šN 266 X 150 425 X 240 20šN 278 X 150 444 X 240 15šN 290 X 150 464 X 240 10šN 302 X 150 483 X 240 5šN 314 X 150 502 X 240 0š__ 326 X 150 522 X 240 5šS 314 X 150 502 X 240 10šS 302 X 150 483 X 240 15šS 290 X 150 464 X 240 20šS 278 X 150 444 X 240 25šS 266 X 150 425 X 240 30šS 253 X 150 405 X 240 35šS 241 X 150 386 X 240 40šS 229 X 150 367 X 240 45šS 217 X 150 347 X 240 50šS 205 X 150 328 X 240 55šS 193 X 150 309 X 240 60šS 181 X 150 289 X 240 65šS 169 X 150 270 X 240 70šS 157 X 150 251 X 240