The Mercator Misconception

This map was never meant to be accurate. It was designed to help sailors

navigate. But it distorted the world. Europe appeared larger. Africa appeared smaller.

That distortion wasn’t just visual. It shaped how power was perceived. Europe looked dominant.

Africa looked insignificant. This map was used in schools, governments, and military planning

for centuries. It influenced how territories were valued, how empires justified expansion,

and how the world was mentally ranked. Even today, many people still

picture the world this way. This was the Mercator projection. What do you

think the world would look like today if this map was never used?