What is one advantage of the Mercator projection?

The Mercator projection is widely recognized for its ability to represent rhumb lines, or loxodromes, as straight lines on a map. This characteristic makes navigation simpler, especially for sailors and aviators, as it allows them to plot a course on the map that can be followed directly without the need to constantly change direction. The straight depiction of these courses facilitates maintaining a constant compass bearing, an essential aspect of navigation.

In contrast to this, great circles, which represent the shortest distance between two points on a sphere, do not appear as straight lines on a Mercator projection. As such, navigators must take their curvature into account, leading to more complex plotting.

While the other options mention the true shapes of the Earth and minimal distortion, the Mercator projection is known for significant distortion, especially at higher latitudes. Therefore, the ability to illustrate rhumb lines as straight paths is a standout feature that enhances navigational efficiency and clarity, making it a valuable tool for route planning.