It's tough to represent a three-dimensional world in a two-dimensional map. The most common way of getting around this problem is to use a Mercator projection. This method of map-drawing, invented by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569, found favor because it preserved local angular relationships, making navigation easier. However, it also massively distorts size and distances as you get closer to the two poles.
The uncomfortable truth all geographers know perfectly well is that every map projection is, to some extent, a lie because projecting the surface of a round planet onto a flat sheet of paper inevitably leads to a certain level of distortion (while globes are not practical to carry around).
However, most people are not aware of the sheer level of this distortion it can be so dramatic that it impacts how we view the world.
Inspired by Krause's map, James Talmage, and Damon Maneice, two computer developers based out of Detroit, created an interactive graphic that really puts the distortion caused by the Mercator map into perspective. The tool, dubbed "
The True Size" allows you to type in the name of any country and move the outline around to see how the scale of the country gets distorted the closer it gets to the poles.
