UN approves resolution in support of map that shows Africa’s true size

The United Nations General Assembly has approved a resolution in favor of using the Equal Earth projection map to more accurately depict the size of Africa, with 164 votes in favor and six abstentions. The United States was the only country to vote against the resolution, citing it as promoting an ideological agenda and distracting from more pressing global issues.

The Mercator map, which has been widely used since its creation in 1569, distorts the sizes of landmasses, making smaller regions appear larger and vice versa. Advocates for change argue that the traditional map reinforces Eurocentric and colonial perspectives, while supporters of the Equal Earth projection maintain that it offers a more accurate representation of the planet.

The resolution is non-binding, and does not outlaw the Mercator projection, but it has sparked a global conversation about the importance of fair cartography.

Brief written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.