UN Votes to Change World Map, Africa's Size Underrepresented
Summary
The United Nations General Assembly has backed a proposal to use a map that shows Africa’s true size more accurately, in a move supported by 164 countries. The debate over the Mercator projection has reignited questions about colonial-era bias, global perception, and Africa’s economic and geographic significance.
Key Points
- The UN General Assembly approved a proposal called “Correct the Map” to promote a world map that represents Africa’s size more accurately.
- The long-used Mercator projection makes land near the equator appear smaller and areas near the poles appear larger, distorting Africa’s scale.
- The proposal was initiated by Togo and backed by the African Union, while the US voted against it.
- Supporters say using the Equal Earth projection could help correct global perceptions shaped by colonial history and outdated mapping.
