Question

The Mercator map projection is a cylindrical projection that shows directions accurately but distorts land sizes. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Mercator map projection?

1. Strengths: shows direction accurately, weaknesses: distorts land sizes
2. Strengths: shows land sizes accurately, weaknesses: distorts directions
3. Strengths: shows both direction and land sizes accurately, weaknesses: none
4. Strengths: none, weaknesses: distorts both direction and land sizes

Answer 1

The Mercator map projection shows directions accurately but distorts land sizes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Mercator map projection is a cylindrical projection that shows directions accurately but distorts land sizes. One of the strengths of the Mercator map projection is that it shows direction accurately. This makes it useful for navigation purposes, as straight lines on the map represent true compass directions. However, one of its weaknesses is that it distorts land sizes. As one moves towards the poles, the land masses appear much larger than they actually are. This can lead to a misrepresentation of the sizes of continents and countries.