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The vertical (or latitude) scale increases with latitude, keeping the hoizontal (longitude) constant. This is in order to make the lines of longitude parallel on the chart, instead of, in reality, converging toward the poles.

This allows courses to be plotted and drawn on the chart, as straight lines crossing the lines of longitude at the same angle.

Known as 'plane sailing'. ie. it is on a plane (flat surface) not a globe.

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What is the Mercator projection map?

The Mercator projection is a cylindrical map projection that distorts the size of land masses as they get closer to the poles, making areas near the poles appear larger than they actually are. This projection is commonly used in marine navigation due to its ability to maintain straight lines of constant bearing.


Compare and contrast mercator and gnomonic projections?

Compare: Both Mercator and Gnomonic projections are commonly used for nautical purposes, such as routes for ships to take.Contrast: Gnomonic projections usually display a small area of the Earth, whereas a Mercator projection displays the entire Earth, but with distortions at the poles.


What kind of map is a rectangular representation of Earth that shows accurate directions but distorts sizes and distances?

A rectangular representation of Earth that shows accurate directions but distorts sizes and distances is called a Mercator projection map. This distortion occurs because it preserves angles and lines of constant direction, commonly used for navigation over large bodies of water.


What is used to locate places on earth's surface?

A Map, in one one of these different types of projections: Mercator, Gnomonic, and Polyconic. Mercator - Shows the whole world except for the poles. Gnomonic - A circle projection showing, most often, the poles but sometimes other small places of the earth. Polyconic - Made as if a cone of paper had been wrapped around the earth, often used for places in the middle latitudes, such as the United States.


What is a way of drawing the earths surface that reduces distortion caused by converting three dimensions?

One way to reduce distortion caused by converting three dimensions into two dimensions is to use a map projection that preserves specific properties, such as shape, area, direction, or distance. For example, the Mercator projection preserves direction, while the Equal Area projection preserves area. Each projection has its own trade-offs in terms of distortion, so it's important to select the one that best suits the purpose of the map.

Related Questions

What is the advantage of Mercator projection?

The ability of the Mercator projection to allow straight and constant course lines. Or longitude and latitude lines.


What projection shows all lines of latitude and longitude as straight lines?

The Mercator projection does that.


Which type of map projection shows all latitude and longitude lines as parell?

The cylindrical map projection, such as the Mercator projection, shows all latitude and longitude lines as parallel. However, this projection distorts the size of land masses the further they are from the equator.


What is projection has parallel latitude lines and parallel longitude lines?

A projection with parallel latitude lines and parallel longitude lines is known as a cylindrical projection. This type of projection preserves the shape of features along the equator and distorts them towards the poles. Examples include the Mercator and Miller cylindrical projections.


Why does the horizontal scale of a Mercator projection increase with latitude?

In the Mercator projection, the horizontal scale increases with latitude to preserve angles and maintain straight lines for navigation purposes. This distortion in scale towards the poles helps with navigation by allowing lines of constant bearing (rhumb lines) to appear as straight lines on the map.


What type of map is a Mercator map?

Mercator is not a map, but a map projection, i.e. a way of representing the continents on a map. The Mercator projection is only accurate between 30 degrees north and south latitude. The further away you go from that point, the greater the exaggeration.


What type of projection is a Mercator projectio?

It is a Mercator projection!


What map would a sailor use?

The Mercator projection is the standard for nautical navigation.


What are shown as straight lines on a Mercator projection called?

The parallels of latitude and the meridians of longitude are all straight lines on the Mercator projection. That's why Greenland looks bigger than South America.


How are a mercator projection and an Robinson projection map the same?

what similarity about the mercator projection and the robinson projection?


What map has parallel lines of latitude and longitude?

A map with parallel lines of latitude and longitude is known as a Mercator projection map. This type of map is often used for navigation purposes due to its representation of straight lines of latitude and longitude, making it easier to measure distances and plot courses. However, the Mercator projection distorts the size of landmasses, especially near the poles.


On what type of map does distortion increase with distance from the poles?

The Mercator Projection distorts the size of large objects from the Equator to the poles. It was named for Flemish map make Gerardus Mercator.