UN General Assembly endorses a new world map that shows more accurately Africa’s size

On Friday, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed a new world map that more accurately represents Africa's size, thanks to a campaign spearheaded by African nations and advocacy groups. The resolution, proposed by Togo and supported by African Union members, received backing from 164 member states, with only the United States voting against it and six other countries abstaining.

This vote encourages the replacement of the traditional Mercator map, commonly used since the 16th century, with the Equal Earth projection, which geographers argue shows locations more accurately. The Mercator projection exaggerates the appearance of Greenland and Africa, making them appear roughly the same size, whereas the Equal Earth projection demonstrates that Africa is 14 times larger.

The U.N. resolution does not ban the Mercator projection, but it does encourage the use of the Equal Earth projection. According to Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, "Maps shape our understanding of the world" and "They guide education, nourish the imagination, and influence collective perceptions." African No Filter, a key advocate for the new map, welcomed the resolution, stating that they want to see accurate maps in schools, textbooks, newsrooms, businesses, and online platforms.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed support, saying, "Changing the map obviously doesn't change the world, but correcting a representation that distorts it is already an act of truth." The Mercator map, designed by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator, was created to assist European navigators at sea, but critics argue it distorts landmasses by enlarging regions near the poles and shrinking Africa and South America.

Geographers contend that the traditional map is only useful for navigation. According to Mark Monmonier, a Syracuse University geography professor, "Outside of that very narrow navigation application, there is no point in using it."