The United Nations has voted to adopt a new world map that aims to more accurately represent the sizes of countries, particularly Africa. This resolution, known as "Correct the Map," was sponsored by African states and passed with a vote of 164-1, with six abstentions, during a UN General Assembly session on Friday. The resolution seeks to address a historical distortion caused by the widely-used Mercator map, which has visually minimized Africa for 450 years, influencing perceptions in media, education, and policy worldwide.
Togo led the campaign among African Union (AU) member states to limit the use of the Mercator map. The Mercator projection, developed in the 16th century by cartographer Gerardus Mercator, distorts land mass sizes, making Greenland appear similar in size to Africa, despite Africa being approximately 14 times larger.
Critics argue that the Mercator map perpetuates a Eurocentric view by exaggerating and centralizing Western nations. Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey stated, "A fair world begins with a fair map," emphasizing the importance of accurate representations.
The resolution promotes the Equal Earth projection, which provides a more accurate portrayal of continent sizes. It is not legally binding and does not challenge the Mercator projection's use for maritime and aerial navigation, according to a statement from the Togolese ministry.
The United States was the only country to vote against the resolution, claiming it promotes an "ideological agenda" and distracts from more pressing international issues. Moky Makura, executive director of Africa No Filter, an organization involved in the campaign, expressed optimism about the vote, stating, "Now the real work begins," and calling for accurate maps in various educational and media contexts.
Ahead of the vote, France, a co-sponsor of the resolution, announced plans to abandon the Mercator map in favor of representations that better reflect actual surface areas. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot noted that the Mercator map gives disproportionate visual prominence to countries like the United States, Russia, and China compared to Africa and other regions.
Togo aims to revise its school geography materials by the end of the year and will encourage other governments, schools, and organizations to adopt the Equal Earth map. Dussey linked this campaign to broader efforts to address colonial legacies, clarifying that it is not an attack on European civilization but a step towards correcting historical distortions. He stated, "The world is changing. Africa also is changing."