Which of the following is a characteristic of the Mercator projection? The size and shape of countries in the higher latitudes are greatly exaggerated. Answer A: The size and shape of countries in the higher latitudes are greatly exaggerated. A The size of all countries is accurate, but the shape is distorted. Answer B: The size of all countries is accurate, but the shape is distorted. B Countries near the Equator appear 50 percent larger than countries in the middle latitudes. Answer C: Countries near the Equator appear 50 percent larger than countries in the middle latitudes. C The projection is designed to maintain undistorted outlines of landmasses. Answer D: The projection is designed to maintain undistorted outlines of landmasses. D Distances on the Mercator projection are real and accurate.