Final answer:
A GIE-A projection accurately represents the true size and shape of Earth's landmasses, but distorts distances between them. Mercator maps are notorious for such distortions. The True Size tool provides a more accurate depiction of landmasses for comparison.
Step-by-step explanation:
Although a GIE-A projection shows the true size and shape of Earth's landmasses, distances between land features are generally distorted. This type of distortion occurs because it is challenging to represent the three-dimensional surface of a sphere on a two-dimensional plane without some compromise. For example, the Mercator projection, which is commonly used in many maps, enlarges areas as the latitude increases, leading to misconceptions about the true size of continents. To address this issue and understand true landmass sizes, tools such as The True Size can be employed, allowing for comparisons by dragging the silhouettes of states or countries over others on a digital map.