The world‘s idea of African geography is flawed. Few people real-ize just how big it is. This is because most of us use the standard Mer-cator world map. This, as do other maps, depicts a sphere on a flatsurface and thus distorts shapes. Africa is far, far longer than usuallyportrayed, which explains what an achievement it was to round theCape of Good Hope, and is a reminder of the importance of the SuezCanal to world trade. - P117