#FirstpostAfrica: Many world maps use the Mercator projection, created in 1569 by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator for navigation. While useful for sailors, it distorts the size of landmasses, enlarging regions near the poles like Europe, North America, and Greenland, while shrinking Africa and South America. On a Mercator map, Greenland appears nearly the same size as Africa, when in reality Africa is about 14 times larger. This distortion has sparked calls, especially from African leader

How Mercator’s Map Made the VOC Possible From deadly guesswork to precision navigation—Gerardus Mercator’s 1569 projection reshaped our oceans, trade routes, and history. A Belgian genius with no sailing experience gave the world the ability to sail in straight lines, making global trade explode. His innovation outlived empires… and still guides us today. #HistoryFacts #MaritimeHistory #Cartography #InventionsThatChangedTheWorld #DutchGoldenAge #WorldHistory | The Dutch Archeologist