Is there a map that displays every country at its correct relative size?

Question

I know that the standard Mercator projection is completely wrong when it comes to the relative sizes of countries (Greenland appears relatively much larger than in reality, for example). AFAIK they do this because the focus of Mercator isn't realism, but to keep routing working correctly (ships and airplanes for example). But: is there a map that correctly displays the relative size of every country?

Answer 1

No map projection can accurately depict every country's size and shape due to the distortion inherent in converting the Earth's curved surface onto a flat map. This distortion arises from the challenge of representing a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface. Different map projections prioritize different aspects, such as maintaining shape, area, or distance accuracy.

As you noted, the Mercator projection was historically favored for its ability to preserve angles and aid navigation, but it distorts the relative sizes of land masses, with Greenland appearing similar in size to Africa, even though Africa is actually about 14 times larger. On the other hand, projections such as the Peters projection or the Eckert IV projection attempt to provide a more accurate representation of land area by sacrificing shape accuracy. These projections try to minimize the distortion of size, but in doing so, they can make countries appear stretched or compressed.

Cartographers continue to develop and refine new map projections that aim to balance various distortions. However, it is impossible to create a perfect map that accurately represents every country's size, shape, and location on a two-dimensional surface. When studying global geography, it is often helpful to use a variety of map projections and reference sources to gain a more comprehensive understanding.

Answer 2

Certainly. But that's not the world map we see in our lives. Because the earth is an irregular sphere with a slightly bulging equator and a slightly flat pole. It's not a regular sphere. So the projection of the Earth will not be completely standard. For another example, on a conventional globe, put the Russian territory on the African map and make them overlap. You will find that Russia looks as big as Africa. But in fact, Russia is only about half the size of Africa. So the map you envisioned would look a little strange.