The function you grew up with has been lying to you about the true size of countries .

be a 3D world on a 2D function is always going to end up with some issues and some compromises . No matter how accurate you examine to make it , you will end up with   stretch areas , squashed countries , or else parts of the mathematical function cut out altogether .

The map you are likely conversant with is one based on theMercator projection , created by map maker   Gerardus Mercator in 1569 .   It ’s acylindrical map protrusion , in which you place the globe into a cylinder and then project each distributor point of the mapping onto a comparable point on the piston chamber . meridian ( imaginary upright line go through the Earth from the North to South celestial pole ) are map onto perpendicular railway line equally spaced apart on the single-valued function , and circle of latitude ( fanciful horizontal lines from East to West ) are mapped onto equally spaced horizontal line .

The Mercator projection is good for seafaring because it   symbolize courses of unceasing carriage as straight segment , stand for ships have to course correct for the curvature of the Earth less frequently . However , it also results in distortions of sizing and shape .

In cylindrical maps   – as is the pillow slip with   the Mercator projection – areas around the equator remain close to accurate , but the further you move from the equator , the more distorted and inflated land mass become .   Essentially , this is why Greenland appears   mammoth and is represented as the same sizing as Africa , when in fact   it ’s 1/14 as big .   The animation below gives you a ready flavor at the distortion in the single-valued function you ’re used to .

However , there ’s nothing quite like playing around with a map for yourself and regain out how big your own country is in relation to everything else . One interactive single-valued function that ’s been doing the rounds over the last few day isThe True Size Of … you could pick out the land you ’re interested in comparing and drag it over other expanse of the map to see how big it really is .

I highly recommend you first equate it to Greenland , just to see how disproportionately large it is on maps , before recede the next few hours of your life .

The map   is based on theGall - Peters projection ,   a rectangular map projection that prioritize giving domain the correct sizes in relation to each other over being utilitarian as a navigational instrument . So enjoy , do n’t use it to voyage the Atlantic .