The Mercator projection is the map widely used across the globe but inaccurately depicts the sizes of countries and continents. CREDIT: BBC
The United Nations General Assembly on Friday backed a resolution spearheaded by several African countries calling for the adoption of a world map that more accurately reflects the relative sizes of the world’s continents.
The resolution, supported by 164 countries, recommends the use of the Equal Earth cartographic projection, while the United States voted against it and six other countries abstained.
Described in the resolution as “a relevant option for improving the accuracy of the cartographic representation of the world,” the Equal Earth projection is being promoted as an alternative to the traditional Mercator map.
The Mercator projection, created by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569, was designed primarily for maritime navigation. While it accurately represents directions, shapes and angles, it significantly distorts the relative size of land masses, particularly toward the poles.
Under the Mercator projection, Europe and North America appear considerably larger than they are in relation to Africa and South America.
Foreign Minister Robert Dussey of Togo, which spearheaded the initiative, said maps play an important role in shaping how people understand the world.
“Maps guide education, nourish the imagination, and influence collective perceptions,” he said, arguing that distorted representations can reinforce inaccurate perceptions across generations.
The United States criticised the initiative, arguing that the United Nations should focus on more pressing global challenges.
US representative Yaryna Ferencevych said such debates were “the reason this institution is losing its credibility,” adding that the organisation was focusing on map projections dating back centuries rather than addressing what she described as genuine problems.
‘A Distorted Representation’
The Equal Earth projection was developed by a group of cartographers and introduced in 2018. Unlike the Mercator projection, it preserves the relative surface areas of continents, making Africa, Latin America, South Asia and Oceania appear significantly larger.
Bojan Savric, one of the cartographers behind the projection, said Equal Earth preserves the relative surface areas of continents while attempting to represent their shapes as they appear on a globe.
France, which co-sponsored the resolution, also announced that it would move away from the Mercator projection.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the Mercator map gives disproportionate visual prominence to countries such as the United States, Russia and China, while making Greenland appear almost as large as Africa.
“Changing maps obviously doesn’t change the world,” Barrot said. “But correcting a distorted representation is already an act of truth.”
The move comes as France seeks to strengthen its relations with African countries, particularly former colonies where diplomatic ties have become increasingly strained.
