I would also like to add that you were always one of the two largest nations as it is, since Eisenkreis is a thing. (which is also quite close to the equator)

The nations which appear larger due to the Mercator projection are Kataylabinsk, Avalia, Ventium, and Umbraisis, but by my approximation the first two are only slightly larger than the Heavenly Empire, and the last two slightly larger than Southerm Hambria.