Tech WondersPlay

Space, GPS & MapsMap Projections

Mercator's Lie

Greenland looks as big as Africa; Africa is 14 times bigger

The most famous world map has been lying to you since 1569. Some countries are drawn many times too big. Can you guess which?

You'll find out

  • Why no flat map can ever get Earth right
  • How big Greenland really is
  • Why sailors loved a map that's so wrong

Why it matters

Maps shape which places look big and important to us. Once you see the trick, you'll never read a map the same way.

About 3 min6 interactive slides · 5 questionsLesson 4 · Zone 1

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