Why are some states shown at different than the actual size?

Some states are shown at different sizes on maps due to the use of various map projections, which distort the shape and area of landmasses to represent the three-dimensional Earth on a two-dimensional surface. For example, the Mercator projection enlarges areas far from the equator, making Greenland appear much larger than it actually is relative to countries near the equator. Additionally, the choice of scale and design in thematic maps can further influence how states are represented, leading to misconceptions about their actual sizes.