diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_geometry.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_geometry.cpp
index c1a1c871e..611c1c580 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_geometry.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_geometry.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,6 @@ void export_geometry()
         .def("envelope",&geometry_type::envelope)
         // .def("__str__",&geometry_type::to_string)
         .def("type",&geometry_type::type)
-        .def("area",&geometry_type::area)
         // TODO add other geometry_type methods
         ;
     
diff --git a/include/mapnik/geometry.hpp b/include/mapnik/geometry.hpp
index dea3125cd..33153b9e9 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/geometry.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/geometry.hpp
@@ -68,27 +68,7 @@ public:
     {
         return type_;
     }
-    
-    double area() const 
-    {
-        double sum = 0.0;
-        double x(0);
-        double y(0);
-        rewind(0);
-        double xs = x;
-        double ys = y;
-        for (unsigned i=0;i<num_points();++i)
-        {
-            double x0(0);
-            double y0(0);
-            vertex(&x0,&y0);
-            sum += x * y0 - y * x0;
-            x = x0;
-            y = y0;
-        }
-        return (sum + x * ys - y * xs) * 0.5;
-    }
-    
+        
     box2d<double> envelope() const
     {
         box2d<double> result;
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/feature_test.py b/tests/python_tests/feature_test.py
index b933a4383..828995d3c 100644
--- a/tests/python_tests/feature_test.py
+++ b/tests/python_tests/feature_test.py
@@ -18,10 +18,6 @@ class FeatureTest(unittest.TestCase):
         f = self.makeOne(1, 'POLYGON ((35 10, 10 20, 15 40, 45 45, 35 10),(20 30, 35 35, 30 20, 20 30))', foo="bar")
         self.failUnlessEqual(f['foo'], 'bar')
         self.failUnlessEqual(f.envelope(),Box2d(10.0,10.0,45.0,45.0))
-        area = 0.0
-        for g in f.geometries():
-            area += g.area()
-        self.failUnlessEqual(area,-450.0)
     
     def test_set_get_properties(self):
         f = self.makeOne(1)