Line of constant compass direction along its length. It is spiral on a globe.

• A. Rhumb line
• B. Topography
• C. Loxodrome
• D. Orthodrome

Answer: (C)

A line that maintains a constant compass bearing as it is traced is called a loxodrome. On a globe, crossing every meridian at the same angle means you keep the same direction relative to true north. Because meridians converge toward the poles, continuing along that constant bearing makes the path spiral toward a pole and never reach it. This contrasts with a great-circle path—the orthodrome—which is the shortest route between two points but whose bearing changes along the way. The term rhumb line is often used interchangeably with loxodrome, but the description given—constant direction and a spiral on the globe—points to the loxodrome.