How to Use the ResizeEarth Tool
Learn how to use our interactive map tool to discover the true sizes of countries and understand how map projections affect our perception of geography. Follow this step-by-step guide to get the most out of the ResizeEarth experience.
Search and Select Countries
Start by finding countries you want to compare using the search box in the top-left corner of the map.
Search Features:
- • Fuzzy search: Type partial names (e.g., "chin" finds China)
- • Multiple languages: Search in English, Chinese, or local names
- • Auto-suggestions: See matching countries as you type
- • Click to select: Click on a country from the dropdown to add it to the map
💡 Pro Tip:
Try searching for common comparison pairs like "Greenland", "Alaska", "Brazil", or "Africa" to see dramatic size differences that most maps don't show accurately.
Drag and Position Countries
Once countries appear on the map, you can drag them around to compare their sizes directly.
Dragging Controls:
- • Click and drag: Click anywhere on a country shape and drag to move it
- • Worldwide movement: Drag countries to any location on Earth
- • Polar regions: Drag countries to Arctic or Antarctic regions (±85° latitude)
- • Real-time updates: See distortion ratios update as you move countries
🎯 Try This:
Drag Greenland down to the equator next to Africa to see how much smaller it really is. Then drag it to different latitudes to see how distortion changes with location.
Switch Map Projections
Use the projection toggle in the top-right corner to switch between Web Mercator and Equal Earth projections.
Web Mercator
- • Traditional map view
- • Used by Google Maps
- • Shows size distortions
- • Good for navigation
Equal Earth
- • Accurate area representation
- • Shows true relative sizes
- • Modern projection (2018)
- • Educational friendly
🔄 Compare:
Switch back and forth between projections with the same countries selected to see how dramatically the projection affects size perception.
Understand Distortion Ratios
Check the country list on the right side to see distortion ratios and detailed information about each selected country.
Distortion Ratio Meanings:
- • 1.0x: No distortion (accurate size for that latitude)
- • 1.5x: Country appears 50% larger than it should
- • 2.0x: Country appears twice as large as it should
- • 5.0x+: Extreme distortion (common near polar regions)
📊 Color Coding:
Explore Reference Lines
The map includes important latitude reference lines to help you understand global geography.
Reference Lines:
- • Equator (0°): Divides Earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres
- • Tropic of Cancer (23.4°N): Northern boundary of tropical zone
- • Tropic of Capricorn (23.4°S): Southern boundary of tropical zone
- • Arctic Circle (66.6°N): Southern boundary of Arctic region
- • Antarctic Circle (66.6°S): Northern boundary of Antarctic region
🌍 Geography Lesson:
Notice how distortion increases as you move away from the equator in Mercator projection. Countries near the poles appear much larger than they actually are.
Pro Tips and Best Practices
🔍 Discovery Tips
- • Start with dramatic comparisons (Greenland vs Africa)
- • Compare countries at different latitudes
- • Use the Equal Earth projection for accurate size perception
- • Try comparing continents to individual countries
- • Experiment with polar regions to see extreme distortions
📚 Educational Use
- • Share specific comparisons using the URL
- • Use projection switching to teach about distortion
- • Discuss population density using area and population data
- • Explore climate zones using the reference lines
- • Compare historical empires or regions
Popular Comparisons to Try
Shocking Size Differences
Continental Comparisons
Country vs Country
🚀 Ready to Explore?
Now that you know how to use the tool, start exploring! Remember that the goal is to understand how map projections affect our perception of the world and discover the true relative sizes of countries and continents.
Start Exploring the Map