code: function(projection) {
          var area = 0.0;
          if(this.components && (this.components.length > 0)) {
              area += Math.abs(this.components[0].getGeodesicArea(projection));
              for(var i=1, len=this.components.length; i<len; i++) {
                  area -= Math.abs(this.components[i].getGeodesicArea(projection));
              }
          }
          return area;
      }
docs: APIMethod: getGeodesicArea
  Calculate the approximate area of the polygon were it projected onto
  the earth.
  
  Parameters:
  projection - {<OpenLayers.Projection>} The spatial reference system
  for the geometry coordinates.  If not provided, Geographic/WGS84 is
  assumed.
  
  Reference:
  Robert. G. Chamberlain and William H. Duquette, "Some Algorithms for
  Polygons on a Sphere", JPL Publication 07-03, Jet Propulsion
  Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, June 2007 http://trs-new.jpl.nasa.gov/dspace/handle/2014/40409
  
  Returns:
  {float} The approximate geodesic area of the polygon in square meters.