AREA CACLUATIONS

[AnLat]

Hi,

I am trying to calculate area of polygons using a shapefile from the world bank where countries are defined.
When however I am trying to calcuate the area, the numbers that emerge are different from the official statistics on area.
Morever, whenever I use a different projection (e.g. equal area) adn recalculate the area, I always get the same results.

Can someone tell me where the mistake could come from?

Thanks!

[StavrosC]

Area shouldn't change depending on your projection.  Inside the attribute table for your polygon layer, add a new field called area.  Right click on the field name ("area") and select calculate geometry.  For the last option, make sure you have the same units selected as the official statistics.  (Probably square miles or sq. km).  If the areas close but still don't match, then the official statistics were probably calculated using different data.