The common projection used in mapping an area of predominantly east to west direction

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The common projection used in mapping an area of predominantly east to west direction

Mercator projection is especially suitable for areas that run mainly east to west because it preserves local shapes and angles (it is conformal). This means the geometry of features is kept true to form locally, which helps when plotting a long horizontal belt of territory composed of many longitudes. Additionally, lines of constant bearing are straight on this map, so navigation and course plotting across an east–west extent are straightforward. Distortion does increase with latitude, but for mid-latitude regions that are wide in the east–west direction, the familiar, regular grid of meridians and parallels and the retained shape make Mercator a practical and common choice.

Mercator projection is especially suitable for areas that run mainly east to west because it preserves local shapes and angles (it is conformal). This means the geometry of features is kept true to form locally, which helps when plotting a long horizontal belt of territory composed of many longitudes. Additionally, lines of constant bearing are straight on this map, so navigation and course plotting across an east–west extent are straightforward. Distortion does increase with latitude, but for mid-latitude regions that are wide in the east–west direction, the familiar, regular grid of meridians and parallels and the retained shape make Mercator a practical and common choice.

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