These maps will allow you to see the real size of the countries of the world

The reason why some countries look bigger or smaller on the map is because of the Mercator projection. Putting a three-dimensional planet on a flat map was something of a challenge for the pioneers of modern cartography, and the Flemish geographer Gerard Mercator invented a way to cope with this task.

In 1569, Mercator created a map that was quite suitable for use for navigation purposes, but its significant drawback was that the system he invented distorted the size of objects depending on their position relative to the equator. Because of this, parts of the land, such as Antarctica or Greenland, located much closer to the poles, looked significantly larger than their real size.

In order to demonstrate how much our idea of the size of countries and continents is wrong due to the use of this system, the creators of the site thetruesize.com they made it possible for any user to move the territories of countries on the surface of the Earth for visual comparison.

For example, according to Mercator's projection, Romania would be a huge island in the Arctic Ocean.

If Australia were located in the place of Europe.

If India were in Russia's place.

Antarctica is quite comparable in size to Brazil.

Japan would stretch across Canada.

Australia in North America.

California is comparable in size to the UK.

If China were in Russia's place.

Canada is not so huge if you move it to South America.

A fun journey of Greenland on the world map.

If Indonesia were located closer to the North Pole, it would be comparable in length to the territory of Russia.

Brazil in Asia would look like a giant.