The United Nations has formally approved the Equal Earth projection as an alternative global mapping standard, moving international institutions away from the centuries-old Mercator map to provide a more proportional representation of the world’s continents, particularly Africa, VIVA Jogja reported. While the resolution is not absolute, it marks a major change in visual cartography. The UN aims to present a more accurate and fair proportion of continental areas, specifically for Africa.
Global Mapping Shifts as United Nations Approves Equal Earth
For centuries, classrooms and textbooks have relied heavily on the Mercator projection, originally designed by Gerardus Mercator in the 16th century to assist maritime navigation. Speaking on Friday, October 9, 2026, Ari explained that maps cannot simultaneously preserve shape, area, distance, and direction with 100 percent accuracy.
Because the Mercator system preserves angles and direction, it remains a valuable tool for sailors charting ocean routes. However, that specific design feature creates massive area distortions as regions move further away from the equator and toward higher latitudes. As a result, landmasses like Greenland and Antarctica appear vastly larger on traditional maps than their actual relative size, while territories near the equator, such as Africa and Indonesia, suffer minimal distortion but end up visually downplayed. North America and Europe also appear larger than they would on a projection that maintains area.
UGM Cartography Expert Compares Mercator and Equal Earth Projections
The stark visual disparity between continents on standard classroom maps has long distorted public perception of global geography. While Greenland appears nearly the size of the entire African continent on a traditional Mercator map, real-world data shows that Africa is actually about 14 times larger than Greenland, according to reporting by detikcom. Visual imbalances can skew international perceptions of geopolitical and geographical size.
To counter this illusion, the Equal Earth projection was engineered specifically to maintain proportional surface area comparisons across all continents and countries. This proportional rendering allows viewers to gauge the true scale of continents like Africa without the visual stretching seen in older models. Ari emphasized that map projections must match their intended use, noting that while Mercator suits maritime travel, Equal Earth provides the necessary accuracy for comparing land areas across nations. He stated that when the goal is to ensure different countries share the same perception of actual territorial conditions, Equal Earth is more suitable. Ari added that because maps are visual representations, the way people read a map affects the way they imagine a region.
Education Systems and Digital Mapping Handle Projection Limits
Different mapping systems serve distinct purposes, meaning no single projection fits every application. Azimuthal projections remain ideal for capturing polar regions, while cylindrical and conic projections handle equatorial and mid-latitude zones respectively. Ari stated that no single projection system is “fit for all purposes.” In educational settings across regions situated near the equator like Indonesia, Equal Earth offers a practical tool for teaching students accurate continental proportions.
Digital mapping tools present a different set of cartographic challenges. Google Maps relies on the Web Mercator system to ensure fast, continuous global rendering across mobile devices and computer screens, but this digital platform still inherits the traditional Mercator flaw of inflating landmasses at higher latitudes, as detailed by detikcom. Understanding these underlying projection mechanics helps students and researchers read digital and physical maps more critically. Ari also highlighted the role of the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG) in providing accurate base maps in Indonesia.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Equal Earth Projection
Why did the United Nations approve the Equal Earth projection?
The United Nations endorsed the Equal Earth projection to encourage international organizations to adopt a more proportional and visually fair representation of global landmasses, particularly addressing the severe under-representation of Africa’s size on traditional maps.
How does the Equal Earth map differ from the Mercator projection?
Developed in the 16th century by Gerardus Mercator, the Mercator projection preserves directional angles for sea navigation but drastically inflates the size of landmasses near the poles, such as Greenland. In contrast, the Equal Earth projection maintains accurate, proportional surface area comparisons between continents.
Does the Equal Earth projection completely replace Google Maps or older maps?
No, cartography experts emphasize that different maps serve different functions, and digital platforms like Google Maps continue to use Web Mercator to facilitate fast global travel. Equal Earth serves primarily as an alternative for comparative geographic studies and educational visual awareness.
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