The shortest distance between two points on Earth is represented by part of which line?

A great circle is the intersection of a sphere with a plane through its centre. Its arc gives the shortest surface path between two points. A rhumb line keeps a constant bearing, but is generally longer; a parallel is a circle of latitude and is usually not a great circle. **Key takeaway:** The shortest spherical route follows a great-circle arc. **Glossary:** **Great circle**: A circle on a sphere whose plane passes through the sphere's centre; **rhumb line**: A route crossing meridians at a constant angle.