UN votes to adopt new world map to reflect Africa's true size
Summary
The United Nations General Assembly voted to replace the traditional world map with a new version that shows Africa's size more accurately. The new map was supported by 164 countries, while the United States voted against it, and six countries abstained.Key Facts
- The current widely used map, called the Mercator projection, distorts the size of countries and continents.
- On the Mercator map, Africa appears about the same size as Greenland, but Africa is actually 14 times larger.
- The Mercator map was created in 1569 and was useful for European explorers but is not accurate for showing true sizes.
- The Equal Earth projection is a newer map created in 2018 that shows countries at their correct sizes.
- The African Union, representing 54 African countries, adopted the Equal Earth map in February 2024.
- Togo sponsored a UN resolution called "Correct the Map" to replace the traditional map at the UN level.
- The resolution passed with 164 votes in favor; the US was the only country to vote no, and six countries abstained.
- The UN vote is not legally binding but may influence the maps used by many global organizations.
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