Rhumb Lines
A rhumb line is a curve that crosses each meridian at the same
angle. This curve is also referred to as a loxodrome (from the Greek
loxos, slanted, and drome, path). Although a great
circle is a shortest path, it is difficult to navigate because your bearing (or
azimuth) continuously changes as you proceed. Following a rhumb line
covers more distance than following a geodesic, but it is easier to navigate.
All parallels, including the equator, are rhumb lines, since they cross all meridians at
90°. Additionally, all meridians are rhumb lines, in addition to being great circles. A rhumb
line always spirals toward one of the poles, unless its azimuth is true east, west, north, or
south, in which case the rhumb line closes on itself to form a parallel of latitude (small
circle) or a pair of antipodal meridians.
The following figure depicts a great circle and one possible rhumb line connecting two
distant locations. For information about how to calculate points along great circles and rhumb
lines, see Generate Vector Data for Points Along Great Circle or Rhumb Line Tracks.