What is a key characteristic of the Transverse Mercator projection?

The Transverse Mercator projection is designed to accurately represent regions that are elongated in the north-south direction. One of its key characteristics is that it maintains geometric fidelity along a specific line known as the central meridian, where the projection is most accurate. This means that measurements of distance, angles, and areas are most true along this central line and decrease in accuracy further away from it. The projection is highly useful for mapping small areas, which is why it is favored for state-specific and regional maps.

While other projections may preserve different qualities like area or distance, the Transverse Mercator focuses on retaining accurate measurements at the central meridian and along narrow zones. Consequently, it works best for locations close to the central meridian and is not advisable for larger, global applications or for areas far from the line of tangency.