UN backs resolution supporting map showing Africa's true size
The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution calling for a shift away from the 16th-century Mercator map toward one that more accurately depicts countries' true size. The measure was put forward by African states.
The United Nations on Friday approved a resolution supporting a move away from the centuries-old Mercator projection map in favor of one that more accurately represents the true size of the world's countries and continents. The resolution was sponsored by African states.
Why it matters
The Mercator projection, created in the 16th century primarily for navigation, has long served as the standard reference map used in schools, media and institutions worldwide. However, the projection distorts relative size: the farther a landmass is from the equator, the larger it appears relative to its actual area. As a result, Africa, which sits near the equator, appears far smaller on the map than it truly is, while countries farther north or south are shown disproportionately large.
Purpose of the resolution
The African states behind the resolution argued that this distorted depiction has reinforced perceptions of the continent as peripheral and less significant on the world stage. By approving the resolution, the UN has signaled support for adopting a map projection that better reflects the actual proportional size of the world's regions and countries.
The vote is largely symbolic, but it draws attention to how geographic maps can shape public perceptions of the relative importance of different parts of the world.
