The United Nations General Assembly voted 164 to 1 to replace the centuries-old Mercator map projection with alternatives that accurately reflect the relative size of continents, according to reporting by Reuters.
Togo Leads UN Push for Equal Earth Map Projection
According to Reuters, the small West African nation of Togo spearheaded the initiative at the United Nations. The adopted text follows a broader campaign by the African Union to limit the reliance on the Mercator projection. Created by cartographer and mathematician Gerhard Mercator in the 16th century, the system was originally designed for maritime navigation. However, it distorts landmasses by enlarging regions closer to the poles. This distortion makes Greenland appear roughly equal in size to the African continent, even though Africa is approximately fourteen times larger.
Did you know? On a standard Mercator map, the continent of Africa and Greenland look remarkably similar in scale. In reality, Africa is about fourteen times larger than Greenland.
Why the United States Opposed the Cartography Resolution
Out of the entire UN General Assembly, the United States was the sole vote against the mapping resolution, with six other nations abstaining. Despite this lone opposition, the overwhelming majority carried the non-binding document forward.
Implementing Equal Earth in Classrooms and Beyond
Ahead of the vote, togský ministr zahraničí Robert Dussey told Reuters that “a fair world starts with a fair map.” The resolution formally promotes the “Equal Earth” projection, which renders landmasses in their true proportions. While the document carries no legal weight and leaves Mercator maps fully intact for maritime and aviation use, Togo is taking immediate domestic steps. Dussey stated that the country aims to update its geography textbooks by the end of the year. Furthermore, Togolese officials plan to meet with African Union members, global allies, and technology companies in the coming months to discuss broader adoption of the Equal Earth system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main problem with the Mercator map?
According to Reuters, the Mercator projection severely distorts land sizes by enlarging regions near the poles while shrinking areas near the equator, making continents like Africa appear much smaller relative to North America and Europe than they actually are.
Is the new UN mapping resolution legally binding?
No. According to Togolese officials cited by Reuters, the resolution is not legally binding and does not restrict the use of Mercator maps for marine and aerial navigation.
Which map projection will replace Mercator in UN-backed initiatives?
The resolution backs the “Equal Earth” projection, which maintains correct relative sizes for the world’s continents.
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