Most of us use digital maps every day without a second thought. Platforms like Google Maps, Apple Maps, Bing Maps and OpenStreetMap have become part of daily life. But there is a hidden issue that shapes the way we see the world: the map projection they use.
Almost all major online mapping platforms rely on something called the Web Mercator projection. It was originally chosen in the early days of web mapping because it made technical processes like tiling and navigation straightforward. But the Web Mercator projection dramatically distorts the size of countries, especially those near the poles.
Greenland, for example, looks similar in size to Africa on most digital maps. In reality, Africa is around 14 times larger. Europe, North America and Russia all appear much larger than they really are, while countries closer to the equator look smaller and less significant. This distortion is so widespread that for many people, it has become normal.
Modern mapping technology has moved on. We now have the tools to use equal area or compromise projections that give a more truthful view of the world, without sacrificing performance or usability. Projections like Equal Earth, Robinson or Winkel Tripel are widely accepted by cartographers and educational bodies because they represent countries more fairly and accurately.
This is not just a technical issue. The way the world is represented affects education, journalism, tourism and even how people think about global relationships. When platforms distort land area, they unintentionally reinforce old perspectives that favour some parts of the world over others.
It is time for the big mapping platforms to take the lead. By adopting modern projections for their global views, they can help promote a more accurate, inclusive and responsible representation of our planet. Local navigation can still use practical conformal projections, but when zoomed out, maps should reflect the real world, not a centuries old navigational chart.
At MapShop, we believe that maps should tell the truth about our world. That is why we offer a range of wall maps using projections like Hobo-Dyer, Equal Earth and Peters, which give a more balanced picture of the globe.
👉 Explore our collection of world maps that present a fairer view of the planet.
