World as we know it is about to change after UN vote on map of Africa’s true size
School walls, news graphics and sat-nav screens have always used the same stretched picture of Earth for generations. That picture […]
The United Nations has approved a campaign to alter the way the world looks on maps, particularly to give Africa its proper size. The resolution, passed by 164 votes to one, replaces the centuries-old Mercator projection with the newer Equal Earth map. This change means that Africa, which is actually about 14 times larger than Europe, would be shown in its true relative size rather than the squashed version most of us learned in school.
The move is backed by the African Union and is seen by some as a step towards "cartographic justice." Critics argue it's a distraction from more pressing issues like wars and famine. While the new maps won't change physical borders, they could influence how the world perceives the size and importance of African countries compared to others.
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