Discuss the main properties of conical projection with one standard parallel and describe its major limitations.
A conical projection with one standard parallel is drawn by projecting the image of the graticule of a globe on a developable cone, which touches the globe along a parallel of latitude called the standard parallel. The cone touches the globe along a specific parallel, and this parallel coincides on both the globe and the cone.
The main properties of this projection are as follows: All the parallels are arcs of concentric circles and are equally spaced. All meridians are straight lines merging at the pole, and they intersect the parallels at right angles. The scale along all meridians is true, meaning distances along the meridians are accurate. An arc of a circle represents the pole.
The scale is true along the standard parallel but becomes exaggerated away from it. The length of other parallels on either side of this parallel are distorted. Meridians become closer to each other towards the pole. This projection is neither equal area nor orthomorphic.
The major limitations of this projection are significant. It is not suitable for a world map due to extreme distortions in the hemisphere opposite the one in which the standard parallel is selected. Even within the hemisphere, it is not suitable for representing larger areas as the distortion along the pole and near the equator is larger.
Explanation
The answer covers all the properties and limitations mentioned in the textbook context. The properties include: parallels as arcs of concentric circles, meridians as straight lines merging at the pole, true scale along meridians and standard parallel, and the projection being neither equal area nor orthomorphic. The limitations focus on unsuitability for world maps and larger areas due to distortions. The answer follows the required format with 4 paragraphs and uses bold for key terms.