Which type of projection is known for preserving directions and areas but distorting distances?

The correct answer is that conic projections are known for preserving certain properties such as directions and areas while distorting distances. Conic projections are created by projecting the surface of the Earth onto a cone placed over part of the sphere. This type of projection is particularly effective for mapping regions with a greater east-to-west than north-to-south extent, like mid-latitude areas.

One of the key characteristics of conic projections is that they maintain angular relationships, which means that directions from a central point remain accurate. Areas on a conic projection are also represented with reasonable fidelity, allowing for effective area comparisons. However, the trade-off with conic projections is that the scaling of distances can become distorted, particularly as you move away from the standard parallels where the projection surface touches the globe. Therefore, while you can have relative accuracy in direction and area, distances may not be measured reliably.

In contrast, azimuthal projections are known for maintaining directions from a central point and can preserve areas but do not necessarily have the same accuracy in distance. Cylindrical projections, while useful for displaying entire continents or countries, can significantly distort area and shape, especially towards the poles. Orthographic projections serve to give a three-dimensional perspective and are not typically characterized