When we look at a typical world map, the sizes of countries can be misleading. Countries near the poles, like Greenland, often appear much larger than they actually are, while those closer to the equator seem smaller. This article explores the true size of countries, specifically comparing Australia and China, and explains why this distortion occurs.
China on a Mercator Projection map. Its size appears smaller compared to its true size.
The True Size of Countries: A Comparison
A website called thetruesize.comMQ~!CN*OTkyMTY5Nw.NzMxNDcwNQ(MjI1)Mg) allows users to drag and drop countries to different locations on a map, revealing their true size relative to each other. Using this tool, we can accurately compare the size of Australia to China.
China, with an area of 9,596,961 sq km, is significantly larger than Australia, which measures 7,692,024 sq km. However, on a traditional world map, the difference might not be as apparent. This is because China’s location closer to the equator makes it appear smaller, while Australia’s position further south results in a seemingly larger representation.
Canada compared to China. Proximity to the North Pole distorts perceived size.
To further illustrate this point, consider the United States (contiguous 48 states) with an area of 9,904,670 sq km. When placed next to Australia near the equator on thetruesize.com, the US appears surprisingly similar in size, despite being geographically larger. Other examples, like comparing Canada (9,984,670 sq km) to China, or India (3,166,414 sq km) to Greenland (2,166,086 sq km), further demonstrate this distortion.
The Mercator Projection: The Reason Behind the Distortion
The reason for this size discrepancy on maps lies in the use of the Mercator Projection. Developed by Gerardus Mercator in 1569, this map projection was designed for navigation purposes. While excellent for nautical charts, it distorts the size of landmasses based on their distance from the equator. Countries closer to the poles appear larger, while those near the equator appear smaller than their actual size. This explains why Greenland often appears similar in size to Africa on a Mercator map, even though Africa is nearly 14.5 times larger.
Egypt compared to Finland. Moving Egypt north reveals its true size.
Brazil compared to Europe. The Mercator Projection minimizes Brazil’s size.
Understanding the True Size: A Spherical Perspective
Thetruesize.com provides a more accurate representation of the Earth’s landmasses by acknowledging its spherical shape. The distortion on traditional maps is a result of trying to represent a 3D object on a 2D surface. The website, inspired by the TV show The West Wing and an infographic by Kai Krause, highlights the importance of understanding the true size of countries and challenges common misconceptions derived from traditional maps.
In conclusion, while a traditional map might show a distorted view, Australia is significantly smaller than China. Understanding map projections, specifically the limitations of the Mercator Projection, is crucial for accurately interpreting the size and proportions of landmasses across the globe.
