Answer:
A Mercator map projection greatly distorts the area of land masses near the poles.
Explanation:
Mercator projection is a projection method where the meridians are deposited vertically on the parallel circles, and where the distance along these circles is gradually stretched more in relation to the terrain it gets closer to the pole. The method is common, for example on world and sea maps. It maintains directions correctly.
The projection gets right at the equator but in theory never reaches the poles and it depends on the cylindrical projection. Gerhardus Mercator's projection became famous in the 16th century and has since been used on the seas.
