UN approves resolution in support of map that shows Africa's true size
The 164-1 vote urges governments, schools and tech companies to use equal-area maps that show Africa and other regions in true proportion.
- The UN General Assembly voted 164 to 1 in favor of an African-led resolution to phase out the traditional Mercator map projection in global institutions.
- Sponsored by Togo and supported by the African Union, the non-binding resolution promotes the use of the "Equal Earth" map projection to depict the true geographical proportions of Africa and other equatorial regions.
- Proponents of the "Correct the Map" initiative argued that the 1569 Mercator projection distorts continental sizes by enlarging landmasses near the poles, making Africa appear roughly equal in size to Greenland when it is actually 14 times larger.
- The resolution encourages schools, international organizations, and tech companies to adopt equal-area maps while acknowledging Mercator's continued utility for maritime and aerial navigation.
- The United States cast the sole opposing vote, describing the measure as an unnecessary "ideological agenda" that distracts from core international peacekeeping and diplomatic priorities.
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The United Nations adopted a resolution to correct the discrepancy between actual continental areas and distorted world maps. Pointing out the problem of the magnification of high latitudes in the nautical Mercator projection, it recommended the adoption of the Equal Earth projection. However, the resolution is not legally binding, and the United States opposed it on the grounds that it lacks practical value.
US Only Country to Vote Against New UN World Map
The U.S. cast the sole vote against a U.N. General Assembly resolution encouraging governments, schools, international organizations, and technology companies to use the Equal Earth map or other projections that accurately represent the relative sizes of continents, an initiative championed by African nations seeking to replace the distortions of the centuries-old Mercator projection.
The UN recommends a different representation of the world than with the known Mercator projection. What are the advantages?
United Nations votes 164-1 for Equal Earth map after US brands it 'radical ideological project'
The United Nations adopted the Equal Earth map showing Africa's true size, with the U.S. as the only nation to vote against the equal-area map projection resolution.
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution aimed at more accurately depicting the size of Africa, with the support of 164 countries.
UN endorses using ‘Equal Earth’ map over Mercator
The UN General Assembly on Friday endorsed a new world map that represents Africa’s larger size more accurately, a culmination of a campaign led by African countries and advocacy groups.The resolution, which was sponsored by Togo and backed by members of the African Union, was passed with 164 member
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