Which of the following best defines a 'Lambert' projection?

A 'Lambert' projection is best defined as a conic projection. This type of map projection is created by projecting the surface of the Earth onto a cone which can then be unwrapped into a flat surface. Lambert projections are particularly useful for mapping areas with a predominantly east-west extent because they can maintain accurate shapes and areas for regions that are not too far from the standard parallels – the latitudes where the cone intersects the Earth's surface.

The conic nature of the Lambert projection allows for a good balance between shape and area preservation, making it ideal for purposes like aviation and meteorology. It is commonly used in regional mapping where these qualities are essential. The other types of projections listed, such as cylindrical, azimuthal, and orthographic, serve different mapping purposes and are based on different geometric principles, which makes them unsuitable for describing a Lambert projection. For instance, cylindrical projections project onto a cylinder, azimuthal projections focus on angles from a central point, and orthographic projections give a view from an infinite distance, simulating a three-dimensional view. Each of these has distinct characteristics that do not align with the conic nature of the Lambert projection.