Which of the following projections distorts distances near the poles?

The Mercator projection is a cylindrical map projection that significantly distorts size and distance, particularly as one moves away from the equator toward the poles. Although it is highly useful for navigation because it preserves angles and shapes, the projection dramatically enlarges landmasses at high latitudes. For instance, Greenland appears much larger than it actually is relative to countries closer to the equator. This distortion occurs because the projection stretches the poles outwards in order to maintain straight lines of constant bearing, which are essential for maritime navigation.

In summary, the Mercator projection effectively helps in navigation but comes at the cost of accuracy in representing distance and area, particularly in polar regions, making it an important example of how projections can alter perceptions of geography.