United Nations Map Resolution to Reflect Africa's True Size
The United Nations General Assembly has approved a resolution recommending the use of the Equal Earth projection instead of the traditional Mercator map.
The United Nations General Assembly has approved a resolution calling for the adoption of the Equal Earth projection instead of the traditional Mercator map in order to more accurately reflect the true size of the African continent.
United Nations Vote and Resolution Details
The United Nations General Assembly came together in a vote held on Friday to support the map resolution spearheaded by a group of nations, including African countries.
Voting Results and Positions of Countries
Aimed at providing a more accurate representation of landmasses on a global scale, the resolution was supported by 164 countries, while the United States voted against it and six countries abstained.
The Purpose of the Equal Earth Projection
Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Dussey drew attention to the importance of the new projection, stating that maps guide education, feed the imagination, and influence collective perceptions.
Disadvantages of the Traditional Mercator Map
The Mercator projection, which has been used for centuries, struggles with transferring the three-dimensional sphere onto a two-dimensional surface, thereby inflating northern regions and compressing equatorial areas.
Size Comparisons and Distortions
Africa, which spans over 30 million square kilometers, appears on the Mercator map to be nearly the same size as Greenland, which is roughly 14 times smaller than it.
Binding Nature and Future of the Resolution
While co-sponsoring countries like France announced they would abandon the projection, the UN resolution is not legally binding, though it aims to encourage changes to default maps worldwide.