UN endorses new map that shows Africa's size more accurately
Africa has long been represented as smaller than its real size in maps, which are largely based on an ancient projection.
The United Nations General Assembly has endorsed a new world map that more accurately represents Africa's larger size. This resolution, sponsored by Togo and supported by the African Union, passed with 164 member states voting in favor, while only the U.S. voted against it and six other countries abstained. The new map, based on the Equal Earth projection, challenges the traditional Mercator map that has been used since the 16th century.
The Mercator projection distorts the sizes of continents, making Africa appear only 14 times larger than Greenland when, in reality, Africa is actually 14 times larger than Greenland. The U.N. resolution does not ban the Mercator projection, but it encourages its replacement with the Equal Earth projection. Togo's Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, highlighted the influence of maps on education, imagination, and collective perceptions.
African campaigners, like Africa No Filter, have been leading the push for accurate maps in schools, newsrooms, businesses, and digital platforms worldwide. The new map aims to correct the distortions of the Mercator projection, which was originally designed for navigational purposes and not for accurate representation of landmasses.
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