Truesize

Truesize is an online interactive map tool that allows users to compare the true land area of countries by dragging one country over another on a world map. The tool emphasizes the distortion inherent in common map projections, particularly the Mercator projection, which makes countries at higher latitudes appear larger than their actual size. By moving a country across the map, the dragged country's area is scaled to its real size relative to the fixed reference region, providing a direct visual comparison of relative areas.

The typical interface displays outlines of countries that users can select and drag. The map remains in a single projection while the relative size of the dragged country is adjusted to reflect true area, enabling quick comparisons such as Greenland versus Africa or Australia versus Europe. The site is accessible through web browsers and generally requires no specialized software beyond a standard internet connection.

Truesize is commonly used in educational settings, journalism, and general geographic curiosity to illustrate how projections affect perceptions of size and to promote geographic literacy. It is important to note that the tool focuses on area comparisons and does not depict precise measurements, distances, or political boundaries beyond their outline. The results depend on the underlying data and the specific implementation, so users should treat it as a visual aid rather than a precise metric.

Overall, Truesize contributes to discussions about map projections and spatial perception by providing an interactive, intuitive way to explore the relative sizes of countries and regions.