What is the purpose of a central meridian in geographic projections?

The purpose of a central meridian in geographic projections is to enhance the accuracy of a projection for a specific location. In the context of map projections, the central meridian serves as the reference line from which the projection is oriented. By centering the projection around this meridian, distortion is minimized in areas that are near it, allowing spatial relationships and distances to be represented more accurately. This is particularly important for ensuring that maps are useful for navigation, land use planning, and other geographic analyses.

Additionally, different projections may have varying central meridians depending on their design goals, such as regional focus or global representation. The choice of central meridian can significantly influence the usability of a map for the intended purpose, especially in cartographic work that involves a specific geographic area. This is why option B accurately articulates the role of a central meridian in enhancing projection accuracy.