The True Size Of is a web tool that allows users to visually compare the actual size of countries by dragging and dropping them onto different locations on a world map. It demonstrates how map projections, particularly the commonly used Mercator projection, distort the relative sizes of landmasses, especially those closer to the poles, making countries like Greenland appear much larger than they are in relation to countries nearer the equator. The tool aims to provide a more accurate perception of global geography and correct misconceptions about country sizes.
The interactive web application known as "The True Size Of" provides a compelling visual demonstration of the distortions inherent in commonly used map projections, particularly the ubiquitous Mercator projection. This distortion significantly impacts the perceived relative sizes of landmasses, especially those located farther from the equator. "The True Size Of" allows users to select a country or region and then drag and drop it across the map, observing how its apparent size changes dramatically depending on its latitude. By facilitating this direct comparison of landmasses at different locations on the map, the application effectively debunks the misconception that countries near the poles are inherently larger than those closer to the equator, a misconception perpetuated by the Mercator projection's stretching effect at higher latitudes. The application serves as an educational tool, highlighting the limitations of traditional cartography and fostering a more accurate understanding of global geography. It visually underscores the crucial point that while the Mercator projection excels at preserving shape and direction, making it suitable for navigation, it sacrifices accuracy in representing the true area of landmasses, especially in higher latitudes. "The True Size Of," therefore, offers a valuable and readily accessible method for visually internalizing the concept of map distortion and developing a more realistic mental picture of the Earth's landmasses and their respective sizes. It achieves this by enabling dynamic manipulation and direct size comparisons in a user-friendly interactive environment.
Summary of Comments ( 54 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43804561
Hacker News users discuss the usefulness of the True Size Of website for visualizing the true size of countries, often distorted by traditional map projections. Several commenters point out its educational value, especially for children, in understanding geographical size and challenging preconceived notions. Some highlight specific examples of surprising size comparisons, such as Greenland and Africa, or the ability to overlay countries on top of each other for direct comparison. A few users raise concerns about the Mercator projection being presented as inherently bad, arguing that it serves a specific purpose for navigation, while others suggest alternative map projections that offer different perspectives. There's also a thread discussing the technical implementation of the website, including the projection used and potential improvements.
The Hacker News post titled "The True Size Of" with the ID 43804561 has several comments discussing the linked website, thetruesize.com, which allows users to compare the sizes of countries by dragging and dropping them across a map.
Many commenters express appreciation for the site as a valuable educational tool, highlighting the common misconceptions about the relative sizes of countries due to the distortions inherent in traditional map projections like the Mercator. They find the interactive nature of the site particularly engaging and helpful for visualizing these differences.
Some commenters delve into the technical aspects of map projections, discussing the challenges and trade-offs involved in representing a 3D sphere on a 2D surface. They mention specific projections like the Gall-Peters and Winkel Tripel, explaining their strengths and weaknesses regarding size and shape accuracy. One user even links to a Wikipedia article detailing various map projections.
A few comments focus on specific examples of size distortions that the website reveals, such as the true size of Greenland compared to Africa or the surprising extent of Russia. These examples serve to further underscore the educational value of the tool.
There's also a discussion about the limitations of the website. Some commenters point out that while the site effectively demonstrates size comparisons, it doesn't address the distortion of shapes, which is another significant issue with traditional map projections.
One commenter mentions a similar tool they created, offering an alternative for those interested in exploring the topic further.
Overall, the comments reflect a positive reception to the website, with many users praising its educational value and engaging interface. The discussion also touches on the broader topic of map projections and the inherent difficulties in accurately representing the Earth's surface on a flat map. There are no comments criticizing the website itself, only pointing out the unavoidable limitations of any 2D map projection.