What do conformal maps effectively preserve?

Conformal maps are designed to preserve angles, which means they maintain the shape of geographical features, even though the actual size and distances may be distorted. This property is particularly useful for various applications in cartography and navigation, as it allows for accurate representation of small areas, making it easier to analyze and interpret local shapes.

In fields such as meteorology or oceanography, where precise angle measurements can be crucial for understanding patterns, conformal mapping is favored. However, while conformal maps maintain local shapes, they do not accurately represent areas or distances, which can be significantly distorted depending on the map projection used.