THE TRUE SIZE OF AFRICA

Correcting the misconception of Africa's true dimensions

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Today we’re going to look at a topic that most people never think about because what we’ve been told has been so widely accepted.

We’re going to talk about the true size of Africa.

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Don’t Always Believe What You See

Africa, is allegedly the second-largest continent on Earth and it’s been the subject of fascination, exploration, and misunderstanding for centuries. Its vast landscapes, diverse cultures, and rich history have captured the imagination of many and has made it the constant target for exploitation. Some will say, ‘who cares what the size of Africa truly is?’ but I argue that the representation of the continent ties into the perception the world has of us as a people; undervalued and misrepresented as inferior regardless of the truth. When you realise the insane size of Africa in relation tot he rest of the world and how it should actually look on the map, you will be absolutely astonished.

The Fallacy Of The Cartographer

When it comes to representing the world, maps have been the primary method of representing our planet. However, we’re too quick to trust what we see. The map that most of us use ulilises The Mercator projection and is named after a man called Gerardus Mercator who created it in 1569. This is what you will see in most classrooms and textbooks. However this map distorts the size of continents near the poles, making them appear larger than they are. In addition, continents near or on the equator were more difficult to represent and that led to a significant underestimation of Africa's true size. What is interesting is that despite the modern knowledge of how these factors misrepresent Africa in relation to the rest of the world, nothing has been done to correct it in the education system. This misrepresentation, which has to now be acknowledged as wilful, continues to shape perceptions of Africa.

Gerardus Mercator

It’s All In The Numbers

In bygone years we didn’t have the technology or knowledge to know exactly what the dimensions of the continents actually were. Now we do and here are the facts; Africa spans over 30 million square kilometers (11.7 million square miles). This makes it larger than the United States, China, India, and most of Europe combined! Yes, all the other continents except South America can fit inside Africa comfortably. Now think about that the next time you look at how Africa is presented on maps. Africa is home to 54 countries, over 1.3 billion people, and more than 1,250 languages. Its coastline stretches over 26,000 miles, and its diverse geography includes deserts, mountains, rainforests, and savannas. Africa is not part of the known world. It is a world within a world.

A New Perspective

Those numbers may be opaque to some of you, so allow me to give you comparisons that will make it easier to conceptualise Africa’s true magnitude:

Africa is nearly twice the size of the United States.

You could fit the entire European Union inside Africa and still have room to spare.

Even the vast expanse of China fits comfortably within Africa's borders.

Africa's landmass is only comparable to South America, however its cultural and geographical diversity is unparalleled.

The Impact of Misrepresentation

Remember when I said the erroneous representation of Africa’s size has real-world implications? Think about it, humans are beings of emotion and perception. The way we see something, such as size of a continent, affects how businesses, governments, and individuals perceive opportunities and challenges on that continent. Understanding the true size of Africa can lead to more informed decisions and a more nuanced appreciation of its potential.

An Image Of Greatness

Modern technology already allows for a more accurate representation of Africa. Interactive maps, 3D models, and satellite imagery can correct the misconceptions and provide a more realistic view of the continent's vastness. The portrayal of Africa in literature, movies, and media has often been stereotypical and one-dimensional and if people open a map and see a continent so grand that it dominates the entire image, it would inspire a greater reverence for how incredible a landmass ALKEBULAN is.