The United Nations has voted overwhelmingly to promote the 'Equal Earth projection,' aiming to correct centuries of geographical distortion caused by the Mercator map. This move seeks to restore the true scale of Africa and other equatorial regions.
- The UN General Assembly passed a resolution (164 to 1) to promote the 'Equal Earth projection.'
- The traditional Mercator projection significantly inflates the size of Europe and North America while shrinking Africa and South Asia.
- Led by Togo, the African Group successfully advocated for a more accurate representation of equatorial regions.
- The United States was the sole dissenting vote, labeling the resolution an 'ideological project.'
For over four centuries, the maps found in classrooms and atlases worldwide have been telling a subtle but profound lie. The Mercator projection, designed in the 16th century for maritime navigation, has inadvertently shaped a global perception that favors northern latitudes while diminishing the importance of the equatorial belt.
The distortion is staggering. On a standard Mercator map, Greenland appears roughly the same size as Africa. In reality, Africa is approximately 14 times larger than Greenland. This mathematical exaggeration increases as one moves further from the equator, causing Russia, Europe, and North America to appear much larger than they truly are, while shrinking Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that cartography is never neutral. Maps shape education, political imagination, and collective perception. When certain continents are visually minimized, it can subconsciously influence how the world perceives their geopolitical importance and resources.
Maps shape education, imagination, and collective perception, and this resolution affirms African reality. - Robert Dussey, Togo's Foreign Minister
In a landmark move, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted 164 to 1 to adopt a resolution promoting the Equal Earth projection. This alternative projection prioritizes area accuracy, ensuring that continents are viewed in their true proportions. Led by Togo on behalf of the African Group, the initiative seeks to influence schools, academic institutions, and tech giants like Google to adopt more honest mapping standards.
Historical Background
The Mercator projection was created by Gerardus Mercator in 1569. At the time, its ability to preserve straight bearings and angles was revolutionary for sailors navigating the oceans. However, because the Earth is a sphere, it is mathematically impossible to flatten it without distorting something—be it shape, area, distance, or direction. While Mercator prioritized direction, the Equal Earth projection prioritizes area, accepting slight distortions in coastline shapes to achieve geographic honesty.
| Feature | Mercator Projection | Equal Earth Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Maritime Navigation & Direction | Educational & Comparative Accuracy |
| Main Flaw | Extreme area distortion near poles | Slightly distorted coastlines/shapes |
| Perception | Inflates Northern Hemisphere | Shows true continental proportions |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is the Mercator map being banned by the UN?
No. The resolution is non-binding and intended to encourage, rather than mandate, the use of the Equal Earth projection.
Question 2: Why did the US vote against the resolution?
The US representative criticized the move as a “radical ideological project,” arguing that the UN should focus on pressing global issues rather than 16th-century cartography.
