Is Canada’s Size Accurately Represented on Maps? Unraveling Map Projections and Geographical Distortions

When we look at maps, it is natural to assume that they faithfully represent the sizes and shapes of different countries. However, this is often not the case, especially when it comes to countries like Canada, which is the second largest country by land area in the world. Why do some countries appear larger on maps than they actually are, and is Canada's size accurately represented on maps?

No. Most World Maps Are Mercator Projections

Most world maps that we frequently encounter are Mercator projections. These projections are popular for their ease of use, as they are conformal and preserve angles, making them ideal for navigation. However, they come with significant distortions, particularly at higher latitudes. For instance, James, the author of the original content, notes that maps using the Mercator projection can grossly distort the actual sizes of land masses, especially those near the poles.

Mercator Projection and Distortion

Below is a Mercator map overlaid with true-to-scale images of countries further from the equator added in red for reference. The further from the equator you go, the more distortions occur in both distances and area. This is why countries like Greenland often appear much larger than they actually are on these maps.

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Why Do Some Countries Appear Larger on Maps?

The distortion in the Mercator projection is a result of the map's underlying mathematics. To create a flat map from a globe, distortions are inevitable. The equatorial regions tend to be reasonably accurate, but as you move towards the poles, the land masses become stretched. This is why the further a country is from the equator, the more its area is exaggerated in the Mercator projection.

The distortion is particularly pronounced in the case of Canada, the second largest country by land area, and Greenland. While Canada is relatively close to the equator, Greenland appears significantly larger than it actually is, giving the impression that it is nearly the size of Canada, despite being much smaller in reality.

Alternative Map Projections

While the Mercator projection is still widely used, there are other projection methods that attempt to minimize these distortions. One such projection is the Robinson projection, which is more commonly used today. Unlike the Mercator projection, the Robinson projection does not preserve angles, but it provides a more balanced and accurate representation of relative areas and shapes.

Relative Size Projections

There are also maps that attempt to show the relative sizes of countries more accurately. Gall-Peters is one such projection, which is designed to maintain accurate areas. In Gall-Peters, the distortion on the north-south axis is diminished, but the east-west axis is stretched, giving countries a squished appearance as you move further from the equator. Another example is the Cylindrical Equal Area Projection, which achieves accurate areas but at the cost of a stretched north-south axis, making it less practical for oceanic distances.

Dymaxion Map

The Dymaxion map, designed by Buckminster Fuller, is an interesting alternative that attempts to show the relative sizes of countries more accurately. It breaks up the surface of the globe into regions, which can make it easier to judge the relative sizes of continents. However, this approach also comes with its own set of distortions and, like other projections, it does not perfectly represent the spherical aspects of the Earth.

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Conclusion: Large Scales and Geographic Reality

While maps are invaluable tools for navigation and understanding the world, it is essential to recognize the limitations of different map projections. The Mercator projection, while useful for navigation, distorts the sizes and shapes of land masses, especially near the poles. Canada, with its substantial land area, appears smaller than what it truly is on many conventional maps. Understanding these distortions can help us better grasp the reality of geographic sizes and plan accordingly.

Folks who are very bothered by flat maps, or are interested in understanding size accurately, may want to look at globes or other projection methods that attempt to minimize distortion. While these methods also have their limitations, they provide a more accurate representation of the relative sizes of countries on a flat surface.