The real size of Greenland: Clearing up myths and confusion

Greenland, that vast expanse of ice and tundra at the northernmost edge of the planet, has caused confusion for centuries due to its representation on maps. If you’ve ever looked at a traditional world map, you’ve likely noticed that Greenland appears to be of an enormous size, even comparable to continents like Africa or South America. However, this is a cartographic illusion, an inevitable distortion that occurs when transferring the surface of a sphere—the Earth—onto a two-dimensional plane. In this article, we will explore the true size of Greenland, how it compares to other countries, and address the intriguing debate about whether it is truly a single island or two hidden beneath its ice sheet.
 
Map distortion: The problem with the Mercator projection
 
Most world maps we are familiar with use the Mercator projection, developed in the 16th century by cartographer Gerardus Mercator. This projection was designed to aid maritime navigation, as it preserves angles and allows for straight-line routes. However, it has a significant flaw: it distorts the size of landmasses, especially near the poles. The farther you move from the equator, the greater the exaggeration. This is why Greenland and Antarctica appear massive, while equatorial regions like Africa seem smaller than they actually are.
 
In a Mercator map, Greenland might appear as large as Africa, but the reality is quite different. Africa spans approximately 30.37 million square kilometers, while Greenland covers only 2,166,086 square kilometers. This means Africa is about 14 times larger than Greenland. The distortion is so extreme that, on some maps, Greenland seems to rival South America (17.84 million km²), when in reality, it is much smaller.
 
The real size of Greenland and comparisons with other countries
 
With its 2.16 million square kilometers, Greenland is undoubtedly a massive island—the largest in the world, in fact—but its true size comes into perspective when compared to other countries. For example:
 
Australia: At 7.69 million km², it is more than three times larger than Greenland, though it is often considered a continent rather than an island.
 
United States: At 9.83 million km² (including Alaska and Hawaii), it is nearly five times larger.
 
Mexico: At 1.96 million km², it is very similar in size to Greenland, though slightly smaller.
 
Spain: At just 505,990 km², it could fit into Greenland about four times.
These comparisons show that, while Greenland is vast, it doesn’t come close to the continental giants that traditional maps might lead us to believe. Its location near the North Pole amplifies its apparent size, but in real terms, it is a fraction of what the most common projections suggest.
 
One island or two? The mystery beneath the ice
 
Another fascinating aspect of Greenland is its geological nature, which has also fueled debates. Approximately 80% of its surface is covered by a thick ice sheet, known as the Greenland Ice Sheet, which in some areas reaches a thickness of 3 kilometers. This ice sheet conceals much of the underlying terrain, leading to speculation about whether Greenland is truly a single landmass or several separate islands connected by ice.
 
Recent geophysical studies, using technologies such as ice-penetrating radar and gravitational models, have revealed that beneath the ice sheet, Greenland is indeed a single island in geological terms. While there are deep depressions and valleys, there is no conclusive evidence that the bedrock is divided into two or more independent landmasses that would emerge if the ice were to melt completely. However, the thickness of the ice and the pressure it exerts have deformed the terrain, creating a complex topography that can lead to misunderstandings.
 
In a hypothetical scenario where all the ice melted, Greenland would still be a single island, though its habitable surface would be much smaller than its total size suggests. Much of its interior is depressed due to the weight of the ice, and the idea that Greenland consists of two islands remains more of a myth than a scientific reality.
 
In summary, Greenland is a place of superlatives: the largest island in the world, almost entirely covered by ice, and a cartographic enigma that has puzzled generations. Its real size, 2.16 million square kilometers, places it far below the continents it appears to rival on maps, but it remains impressive compared to many countries.
 
The next time you look at a world map, remember that what you see is an interpretation, not reality, and that Greenland, though vast, occupies a much more modest place in the global landscape than its distorted image might suggest.
 
In the image, the real size of the countries (in red) is shown compared to the size they typically appear on maps (in blue).
 

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