Question

Which of the following projections would be best for a map of the South Pole and Antarctica? A. Mercator B. Goode's Interrupted Homosoline C. Robinson D. Orthographic

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is A. The Mercator projection is the best for a map of the South Pole and Antarctica.

Explanation:

The Mercator projection is a type of cartographic projection devised by Gerardus Mercator in 1569 to make maps of the earth's surface. It has been widely used since the 18th century for nautical charts because it allowed to draw the routes of constant or loxodromic course as straight and unbroken lines, unlike other more precise projections.

It is a type of cylindrical projection tangent to the Equator. As such, it deforms the distances between the meridians (on Earth they are like "segments" from pole to pole) in parallel lines, increasing their real width more and more as it approaches the poles.

This projection also does not respect the real forms between the parallels, enlarges it in length, more and more as it approaches the poles, distorting the areas near the poles even more. Noting the difference with the equidistant cylindrical projection, which does respect distances between parallels and has only the southern deformations of the projection.