Converting longitude/latitude to X/Y coordinate

Question

I created a map using Google Maps API that highlights all Minnesota counties. Basically, I created the county polygons using a set of longitudes/latitudes coordinates. Here\

Answer 1

Remember that how a map looks is a function of the projection used to render the map. Google Maps appears to use a Mercator projection (or something very similar to it). What projection does your algorithm equate to? If you want your 2D representation to look just like Google's you need to use an identical projection.