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According to the text, what was the primary advantage of the rhumb lines featured on Portolan charts?
Early medieval maps, known as · mappaemundi · , were often more symbolic than practical. They depicted the world with Jerusalem at the center and were oriented with East at the top, reflecting religious beliefs rather than geographical precision. A significant shift occurred around the 13th century with the emergence of Portolan charts. Created by mariners in the Mediterranean, these charts were remarkably accurate for their time and were intended for navigation. They featured a network of rhumb lines—lines radiating from central points—that corresponded to the 32 directions of a mariner's compass. By following these lines, sailors could maintain a constant bearing, making sea travel far more predictable and reliable.