Final answer:
Flat maps often experience distortion, use lines of latitude and longitude for precise location, but are not perfect for exact distance or direction calculations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of flat maps, their characteristics and their limitations relate to several truths. Firstly, flat maps are often distorted because a three-dimensional globe is being represented on a two-dimensional plane. This distortion is most obvious near the poles where the Mercator projection exaggerates sizes. Secondly, flat maps utilize lines of latitude and longitude to represent the Earth's spherical surface on a flat plane. These grid lines help to locate any place on Earth with precision but do not represent Earth's curvature itself. Lastly, while flat maps are helpful for a variety of purposes, they are not ideal for calculating exact distances and directions over long distances due to the distortions that arise from flattening the Earth's surface.