UN General Assembly adopts new world map that shows Africa's true size
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution encouraging the use of the Equal Earth projection map, which accurately depicts Africa's true size, unlike the traditional Mercator map.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
Led by African countries, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution to promote the Equal Earth projection, a map that corrects the long-standing distortion of landmasses found in the Mercator map. The Mercator projection, commonly used since the 16th century, significantly shrinks Africa while enlarging regions near the poles, such as Greenland.
Imagine you have a picture of your family, but someone accidentally made your tall uncle look like a giant and your strong dad look tiny. For hundreds of years, our world maps were a bit like that, making Africa look much smaller than it really is, and places like Greenland look huge. Now, the United Nations has said we should use a new, fairer map that shows all the countries and continents in their real sizes, so everyone gets a true picture of our amazing planet.
Analysis
The recent resolution by the United Nations General Assembly marks a pivotal moment in global cartography, addressing centuries of misrepresentation in how the world is visually understood. The traditional Mercator projection, while invaluable for 16th-century European navigators due to its ability to maintain accurate compass bearings, severely distorts the relative sizes of landmasses. This distortion is particularly pronounced for continents near the equator, such as Africa and South America, which appear significantly smaller than their actual proportions, while regions closer to the poles, like Greenland and North America, are exaggerated.
Mercator Projection
The Mercator projection, designed by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator, has been the standard world map for centuries, deeply embedding its distorted view into global consciousness. Its primary utility was for maritime navigation, allowing sailors to plot straight courses. However, outside this specific application, its use has been criticized by geographers and advocates for perpetuating a skewed understanding of the world's geography. The most striking example cited is the visual equivalence of Greenland and Africa, despite Africa being 14 times larger in reality.
This historical map has influenced education, media, and public perception, subtly shaping geopolitical perspectives. Critics argue that the Mercator map's emphasis on northern landmasses inadvertently reinforced Eurocentric views, diminishing the perceived scale and significance of continents in the Global South. The resolution's encouragement to move away from this projection is a step towards rectifying these long-standing biases.
Equal Earth Projection
The Equal Earth projection, developed in 2018, offers a modern alternative that addresses the Mercator map's fundamental flaw by accurately representing the true proportions of continents. This projection follows the Earth's curvature more faithfully, ensuring that landmasses are shown in their correct relative sizes. Its adoption is championed by geographers and advocacy groups like Africa No Filter, who emphasize the importance of accurate visual representations in shaping understanding and challenging misconceptions.
By promoting the Equal Earth projection, the UN aims to foster a more truthful and equitable global perspective. The resolution, while not a ban on the Mercator map, serves as a powerful endorsement for a cartographic tool that aligns more closely with geographical reality. This shift is expected to have a profound impact on educational materials, news reporting, and digital platforms, where billions of people interact with world maps daily.
Togo's Leadership
The campaign for the adoption of a more accurate world map was significantly spearheaded by African countries, with Togo playing a leading role. Togo sponsored the resolution, which garnered overwhelming support from 164 member states of the African Union and other nations, with only the United States voting against it and six countries abstaining. Togo's Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, articulated the profound impact of maps, stating, "Maps shape our understanding of the world. They guide education, nourish the imagination, and influence collective perceptions."
Dussey further emphasized that correcting the map is an "act of truth," highlighting that distorted representations have long influenced perceptions of Africa and other regions. This initiative underscores a broader effort by African nations to assert their true place and significance on the global stage, challenging historical narratives and visual biases. The strong backing from the African Union demonstrates a collective desire to promote accurate geographical literacy and foster a more balanced global outlook.
Key points
- The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution encouraging the use of the Equal Earth projection map.
- The Equal Earth projection accurately shows continents in their true proportions, unlike the Mercator map.
- The traditional Mercator map distorts landmasses, making Africa appear much smaller than its actual size.
- Africa is 14 times larger than Greenland, a fact often obscured by the Mercator projection.
- Togo sponsored the resolution, which was backed by the African Union and passed with 164 votes in favor.
The adoption of the Equal Earth map could significantly improve global understanding of Africa's true scale and importance, fostering more accurate educational materials and challenging long-held geographical misconceptions. This shift in perception may lead to a more equitable view of the continent in international discourse and policy-making.
Despite the UN's encouragement, the resolution does not mandate the replacement of the Mercator map, meaning its widespread adoption in schools, media, and digital platforms could be slow and inconsistent. The United States' vote against the resolution also highlights potential resistance to this cartographic shift, limiting its universal impact.
