diff --git a/src/gmt_init.c b/src/gmt_init.c
index 7c4db821161..d44517e8967 100644
--- a/src/gmt_init.c
+++ b/src/gmt_init.c
@@ -5249,7 +5249,7 @@ GMT_LOCAL bool gmtinit_parse_J_option (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, char *args_in) {
 	gmt_M_memset (l_pos, 3, int);	gmt_M_memset (p_pos, 3, int);
 	gmt_M_memset (t_pos, 3, int);	gmt_M_memset (d_pos, 3, int);
 	if (!GMT->common.J.active)	/* Down want to clobber this during -Jz/Z after the horizontal part has been set */
-		GMT->current.proj.lon0 = GMT->current.proj.lat0 = GMT->session.d_NaN;	/* Projection center, to be set via -J */
+		GMT->current.proj.lon0 = GMT->current.proj.central_meridian = GMT->current.proj.lat0 = GMT->session.d_NaN;	/* Projection center, to be set via -J */
 
 	project = gmtinit_project_type (args, &i, &width_given);
 	if (project == GMT_NO_PROJ) return (true);	/* No valid projection specified */
diff --git a/src/gmt_map.c b/src/gmt_map.c
index 5e8e3eb4bf4..b9e2b0d99ec 100644
--- a/src/gmt_map.c
+++ b/src/gmt_map.c
@@ -321,38 +321,47 @@ GMT_LOCAL void gmtmap_set_default_central_meridian (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT) {
 	else
 		GMT->current.proj.pars[0] = 0.5 * (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO] + GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);	/* Set to middle lon */
 	GMT_Report (GMT->parent, GMT_MSG_INFORMATION, "Central meridian not given, default to %g\n", GMT->current.proj.pars[0]);
+	GMT->current.proj.central_meridian = GMT->current.proj.pars[0];
 }
 
 /*! . */
-GMT_LOCAL void gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, unsigned int mode) {
+GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, unsigned int mode) {
 	/* Make sure that for global (360-range) cylindrical projections, the central meridian is neither west nor east.
 	 * If so then we reset it to the middle value or we change -R:
 	 * mode == 0: <clon> should be reset based on w/e mid-point
 	 * mode == 1: -J<clon> is firm so w/e is centered on <c.lon>
+	 * mode == 2: -J<clon> is firm and e-w < 360 so must give an error instead.
 	 */
-	if (gmtmap_central_meridian_not_set (GMT))
+	int error = GMT_NOERROR;
+
+	if (gmtmap_central_meridian_not_set (GMT))	/* If not set then we pick halfway between w and e */
 		gmtmap_set_default_central_meridian (GMT);
-	else if (GMT->current.map.is_world && (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] == GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO] || GMT->current.proj.pars[0] == GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI])) {
-		/* Reset central meridian since cannot be 360 away from one of the boundaries since that gives xmin == xmax below */
-		if (mode == 1) {	/* Change -R to fit central meridian */
-			double w = GMT->current.proj.pars[0] - 180.0, e = GMT->current.proj.pars[0] + 180.0;
+	if (GMT->current.map.is_world) {	/* For full 360 range the central meridian must be in the middle */
+		double w = GMT->current.proj.pars[0] - 180.0, e = GMT->current.proj.pars[0] + 180.0;
+		if (!doubleAlmostEqualZero (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], w)) {	/* Not yet aligned */
 			GMT_Report (GMT->parent, GMT_MSG_INFORMATION, "Region for global cylindrical projection had to be reset from %g/%g to %g/%g\n",
 				GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI], w, e);
 			GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO] = w;	GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI] = e;
 		}
-		else {	/* Change central meridian to fit -R */
-			double new_lon = 0.5 * (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO] + GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
-			GMT_Report (GMT->parent, GMT_MSG_INFORMATION, "Central meridian for global cylindrical projection had to be reset from %g to %g\n", GMT->current.proj.pars[0], new_lon);
-			GMT->current.proj.pars[0] = new_lon;
-		}
 	}
-	else if (!GMT->current.map.is_world) {	/* For reginal areas we cannot have clon > 180 away from either boundary */
-		if (fabs (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] - GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO]) > 180.0 || fabs (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] - GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]) > 180.0) {
-			double new_lon = 0.5 * (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO] + GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
-			GMT_Report (GMT->parent, GMT_MSG_INFORMATION, "Central meridian for cylindrical projection had to be reset from %g to %g\n", GMT->current.proj.pars[0], new_lon);
-			GMT->current.proj.pars[0] = new_lon;
+	else if (!GMT->common.R.oblique) {	/* For regional (<360) areas we cannot have clon > 180 away from either boundary */
+		double dw = fabs (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] - GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO]);
+		double de = fabs (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] - GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
+		if (dw > 180.0 || de > 180.0) {
+			if (mode == 2) {	/* Yield an error if fixed central longitude, range < 360, and exceed 180 to the border from central longitude */
+				static char *border[2] = {"Western", "Eastern"};
+				unsigned int kase = (dw > 180.0) ? 0 : 1;
+				GMT_Report (GMT->parent, GMT_MSG_ERROR, "%s boundary is > 180 degrees from specified central meridian and thus your region is invalid\n", border[kase]);
+				error = GMT_MAP_EXCEEDS_360;
+			}
+			else {	/* Else we just adapt to the situation */
+				double new_lon = 0.5 * (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO] + GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
+				GMT_Report (GMT->parent, GMT_MSG_INFORMATION, "Central meridian for cylindrical projection had to be reset from %g to %g\n", GMT->current.proj.pars[0], new_lon);
+				GMT->current.proj.pars[0] = new_lon;
+			}
 		}
 	}
+	return (error);
 }
 
 /*! . */
@@ -2888,7 +2897,8 @@ GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_init_merc (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
 	}
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
-	gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 0);	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 0))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
 	gmtproj_vmerc (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0], GMT->current.proj.pars[1]);
 	GMT->current.proj.j_x *= D;
 	GMT->current.proj.j_yc *= D;
@@ -2940,7 +2950,8 @@ GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_init_cyleq (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 	GMT->current.proj.iDx = 1.0 / GMT->current.proj.Dx;
 	GMT->current.proj.iDy = 1.0 / GMT->current.proj.Dy;
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
-	gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 1);	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 1))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
 	gmtproj_vcyleq (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0], GMT->current.proj.pars[1]);
 	gmtproj_cyleq (GMT, GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[YLO], &xmin, &ymin);
 	gmtproj_cyleq (GMT, GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI], GMT->common.R.wesn[YHI], &xmax, &ymax);
@@ -2976,7 +2987,8 @@ GMT_LOCAL bool gmtmap_init_cyleqdist (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 	gmtmap_set_spherical (GMT, true);	/* Force spherical for now */
 
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
-	gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 1);	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 1))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
 	gmtproj_vcyleqdist (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0], GMT->current.proj.pars[1]);
 	gmtproj_cyleqdist (GMT, GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[YLO], &xmin, &ymin);
 	gmtproj_cyleqdist (GMT, GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI], GMT->common.R.wesn[YHI], &xmax, &ymax);
@@ -3012,7 +3024,8 @@ GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_init_miller (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 	gmtmap_set_spherical (GMT, true);	/* Force spherical for now */
 
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
-	gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 1);	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 1))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
 	gmtproj_vmiller (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0]);
 	gmtproj_miller (GMT, GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[YLO], &xmin, &ymin);
 #ifdef CHRISTMAS
@@ -3058,7 +3071,8 @@ GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_init_cylstereo (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 	gmtmap_set_spherical (GMT, true);	/* Force spherical for now */
 
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
-	gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 1);	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 1))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
 	gmtproj_vcylstereo (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0], GMT->current.proj.pars[1]);
 	gmtproj_cylstereo (GMT, GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[YLO], &xmin, &ymin);
 	gmtproj_cylstereo (GMT, GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI], GMT->common.R.wesn[YHI], &xmax, &ymax);
@@ -4416,6 +4430,8 @@ GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_init_mollweide (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 		gmtmap_set_default_central_meridian (GMT);
 	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 2))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
 	if (GMT->current.proj.units_pr_degree) GMT->current.proj.pars[1] /= GMT->current.proj.M_PR_DEG;
 	GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_X] = GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_Y] = M_PI * GMT->current.proj.pars[1] / sqrt (8.0);
 	gmtproj_vmollweide (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0], GMT->current.proj.pars[1]);
@@ -4475,6 +4491,8 @@ GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_init_hammer (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 		gmtmap_set_default_central_meridian (GMT);
 	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 2))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
 	if (GMT->current.proj.units_pr_degree) GMT->current.proj.pars[1] /= GMT->current.proj.M_PR_DEG;
 	GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_X] = GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_Y] = 0.5 * M_PI * GMT->current.proj.pars[1] / M_SQRT2;
 	gmtproj_vhammer (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0], GMT->current.proj.pars[1]);
@@ -4530,8 +4548,10 @@ GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_init_grinten (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 
 	if (gmtmap_central_meridian_not_set (GMT))
 		gmtmap_set_default_central_meridian (GMT);
-	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 2))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
+	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	if (GMT->current.proj.units_pr_degree) GMT->current.proj.pars[1] /= GMT->current.proj.M_PR_DEG;
 	GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_X] = GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_Y] = GMT->current.proj.pars[1];
 	gmtproj_vgrinten (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0], GMT->current.proj.pars[1]);
@@ -4594,8 +4614,10 @@ GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_init_winkel (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 
 	if (gmtmap_central_meridian_not_set (GMT))
 		gmtmap_set_default_central_meridian (GMT);
-	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 2))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
+	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	if (GMT->current.proj.units_pr_degree) GMT->current.proj.pars[1] /= GMT->current.proj.M_PR_DEG;
 	gmtproj_vwinkel (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0], GMT->current.proj.pars[1]);
 	GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_X] = GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_Y] = 2.0 * GMT->current.proj.pars[1] / (1.0 + GMT->current.proj.r_cosphi1);
@@ -4651,8 +4673,10 @@ GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_init_eckert4 (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 
 	if (gmtmap_central_meridian_not_set (GMT))
 		gmtmap_set_default_central_meridian (GMT);
-	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 2))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
+	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	if (GMT->current.proj.units_pr_degree) GMT->current.proj.pars[1] /= GMT->current.proj.M_PR_DEG;
 	gmtproj_veckert4 (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0]);
 	GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_X] = GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_Y] = GMT->current.proj.pars[1];
@@ -4709,8 +4733,10 @@ GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_init_eckert6 (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 
 	if (gmtmap_central_meridian_not_set (GMT))
 		gmtmap_set_default_central_meridian (GMT);
-	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 2))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
+	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	if (GMT->current.proj.units_pr_degree) GMT->current.proj.pars[1] /= GMT->current.proj.M_PR_DEG;
 	gmtproj_veckert6 (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0]);
 	GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_X] = GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_Y] = 0.5 * GMT->current.proj.pars[1] * sqrt (2.0 + M_PI);
@@ -4766,8 +4792,10 @@ GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_init_robinson (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 
 	if (gmtmap_central_meridian_not_set (GMT))
 		gmtmap_set_default_central_meridian (GMT);
-	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 2))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
+	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	if (GMT->current.proj.units_pr_degree) GMT->current.proj.pars[1] /= GMT->current.proj.M_PR_DEG;
 	gmtproj_vrobinson (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0]);
 	GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_X] = GMT->current.proj.scale[GMT_Y] = GMT->current.proj.pars[1] / 0.8487;
@@ -4824,8 +4852,10 @@ GMT_LOCAL int gmtmap_init_sinusoidal (struct GMT_CTRL *GMT, bool *search) {
 
 	if (gmtmap_central_meridian_not_set (GMT))
 		gmtmap_set_default_central_meridian (GMT);
-	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	GMT->current.map.is_world = gmt_M_360_range (GMT->common.R.wesn[XLO], GMT->common.R.wesn[XHI]);
+	if (gmtmap_cyl_validate_clon (GMT, 2))	/* Make sure the central longitude is valid */
+		return GMT_PROJECTION_ERROR;
+	if (GMT->current.proj.pars[0] < 0.0) GMT->current.proj.pars[0] += 360.0;
 	if (GMT->common.R.wesn[YLO] <= -90.0) GMT->current.proj.edge[0] = false;
 	if (GMT->common.R.wesn[YHI] >= 90.0) GMT->current.proj.edge[2] = false;
 	gmtproj_vsinusoidal (GMT, GMT->current.proj.pars[0]);