The UN General Assembly voted to replace the world map with a more accurate projection

The UN General Assembly voted to replace the traditional world map with one that more accurately reflects the actual size of Africa.

The resolution, called “Correct the Map,” initiated by Togo and supported by members of the African Union (AU), was approved by 164 states, including France and the UK. The United States was the only country to vote against it, while six other countries abstained.

The Mercator projection map, widely used since the 16th century, has long been criticized for distorting the size of territories.

In particular, Africa appears to be roughly the same area as Greenland, although in reality it is about 14 times larger.

Critics say this visual distortion downplays the importance, economic potential and development needs of countries near the equator.

What is the Mercator projection

The Mercator projection was created in 1569 by the Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator to help European navigators navigate long journeys.

Distortions on this map are due to the fact that the surface of the globe cannot be absolutely accurately transferred to a flat two-dimensional map. When creating any world map, compromises inevitably have to be made.

In the Mercator projection, territories near the equator appear smaller compared to countries and regions located closer to the poles, the size of which, on the contrary, visually increases.

In an attempt to remedy this, in 2018 a group of cartographers developed an equal area projection called Equal Earth.

In February, all 54 African Union member states adopted the projection, saying it "more accurately reflects the size of all continents, especially Africa."

Participants in the online campaign #CorrectTheMap note: “You could place the USA, China, India, Japan, Mexico and a significant part of Europe in Africa - and there would still be free space there.”

Map controversy

Ahead of Friday's vote, Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dusset told Reuters: "A just world begins with a fair map."

Earlier at a UN briefing, he emphasized: “The map is never neutral. It shapes perceptions and influences how people understand the place of peoples and continents in the world.”

Dusset was supported by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrault, who said that his department would refuse to use maps in the Mercator projection.

“Changing the map, of course, does not change the world itself. But correcting his distorted image is already a step towards the truth,” he said.

However, the US representative to the UN, Yarina Ferentsevich, said that this resolution actually ridicules the work and the very purpose of the UN General Assembly.