United Nations adopts map projection reflecting true sizes of continents
The UN General Assembly has adopted the Equal Earth projection to replace the Mercator map, which portrays the African continent as much smaller than its actual size.
The United Nations General Assembly has called for a change to the current world map by adopting the "Correct the Map" draft resolution, which aims to more accurately reflect the true sizes and proportions of the continents.
Size Distortions of the Mercator Map
Created by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569, the map projection provides navigational ease in the oceans while seriously distorting the sizes of landmasses.
On this traditional map, the African continent appears much smaller than it actually is and is depicted as being similar in size to Greenland.
Transition to the Equal Earth Projection
The new Equal Earth projection adopted by the United Nations represents the true surface areas and proportions of the continents much more fairly.
Developed in 2018, this new mapping system had also been adopted by 54 African Union members prior to the UN resolution.
Status of Alternative Map Projections
Although the Peters map, designed by Arno Peters in the early 1970s, also provides a fairer representation of land areas, it severely distorts shapes.
Different projection maps must sacrifice features such as straight navigation lines and true distance measurements while providing area accuracy.