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Countries Are Not The Size You Think They Are And These 29 Maps Prove It
TravelAPR 1, 2025

Countries Are Not The Size You Think They Are And These 29 Maps Prove It

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Maps have been lying to us our entire lives, and it's not entirely their fault. The challenge of depicting our round world on flat paper has created some major misconceptions about how big countries really are. Remember looking at Greenland on a standard world map and thinking it was nearly the size of Africa? Not even close – Africa is actually about fourteen times larger!
These comparison maps strip away the distortions we've grown accustomed to, revealing surprising truths about our planet's geography. When countries get dragged from their usual positions and placed alongside others for accurate size comparison, the results can be downright shocking. Russia may be the largest country by land area, but it's not nearly as massive as it appears on traditional maps. On the flip side, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world but itn't even half the size of Central Park's lake! These 29 eye-opening comparisons will forever change how you view the world, proving once again that what we think we know isn't always what is.

#1 Russia On The Equator Is Not A Giant Bear Anymore

Russia On The Equator Is Not A Giant Bear Anymore
9points

#2 Brazil

Brazil
9points

#3 If Brazil Was In Asia It Would Be Massive

If Brazil Was In Asia It Would Be Massive
8points

#4 Greenland Is Not So Big When Compared To USA And Brazil

Greenland Is Not So Big When Compared To USA And Brazil
8points

#5 When You Move Canada To South America

When You Move Canada To South America
8points

#6 China Placed On Top Of Russia

China Placed On Top Of Russia
8points

#7 The Us Could Easily Cover The Whole Of Canada But It Becomes Much Smaller When It's Moved South

The Us Could Easily Cover The Whole Of Canada But It Becomes Much Smaller When It's Moved South
8points

#8 This Is How Tiny Romania Looks In The Arctic Ocean

This Is How Tiny Romania Looks In The Arctic Ocean
8points

#9 People Often Underestimate Australia’s Size Because It’s So Isolated. Here’s What It Looks Like When Placed Over The U.S

People Often Underestimate Australia’s Size Because It’s So Isolated. Here’s What It Looks Like When Placed Over The U.S
8points

#10 India Over Europe

India Over Europe
8points

#11 China Over USA

China Over USA
8points

#12 Chile

Chile
8points

#13 Australia Is Way Bigger Than You May Think - It Covers Almost The Whole Of Europe

Australia Is Way Bigger Than You May Think - It Covers Almost The Whole Of Europe
7points

#14 California Moved Onto The UK Shows They're Quite Similar In Size

California Moved Onto The UK Shows They're Quite Similar In Size
7points

#15 Antarctica Is Not So Much Larger Than Brazil

Antarctica Is Not So Much Larger Than Brazil
7points

#16 Canada Moved Down Onto The Us Reveals That Both Countries Are Pretty Much The Same Size

Canada Moved Down Onto The Us Reveals That Both Countries Are Pretty Much The Same Size
7points

#17 Russia

Russia
7points

#18 Madagascar

Madagascar
7points

#19 Vatican Over Central Park

Vatican Over Central Park
7points

#20 Greenland Over Australia

Greenland Over Australia
7points
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