UN Adopts Resolution Backing Map That Better Reflects Africa’s True Size
The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly endorsed a non-binding resolution calling for more accurate representations of the world’s regions, particularly Africa, in commonly used maps. Sponsored by Togo and backed by all 55 African Union member states, the “Correct the Map” resolution received 164 votes in favour, with six countries abstaining and the United States voting against it. The initiative seeks to encourage the use of projections such as the Equal Earth map, which represents continents according to their relative land areas, instead of relying heavily on the Mercator projection, which makes regions near the equator appear smaller while greatly enlarging areas closer to the poles. Under the Mercator projection, for example, Greenland can appear comparable in size to Africa despite Africa having a vastly larger land area. The Equal Earth projection was developed in 2018 to provide a more area-accurate representation of the world.
The resolution does not legally require countries, schools or technology companies to abandon the Mercator projection, but the UN said it could encourage changes in educational materials, institutional maps and digital mapping practices. Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, described the initiative as a scientific effort to address the effects of distorted cartographic representations on how regions are perceived globally. The development follows broader African efforts to challenge historical representations of the continent, with advocates describing the issue as part of the campaign to “Correct the Map.” The vote also comes amid renewed discussions at the UN over the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade and calls for measures addressing its continuing effects.
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