UN General Assembly backs African-led resolution to adopt Equal Earth map projection
Quick Look
- The UN General Assembly voted to support a resolution led by African nations to adopt the Equal Earth cartographic projection, which aims to provide a more accurate representation of continental landmasses by reducing the size distortions of North America and Europe present in the traditional Mercator projection.
- The resolution passed with 164 votes in favor, the US opposed, and six abstentions.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Mercator projection, created in 1569 for maritime navigation, has been criticized for distorting the size of landmasses, making regions near the poles appear larger than they are. The Equal Earth projection is a newer alternative designed to show continents more proportionally.
The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to back a resolution spearheaded by several African countries to adopt a map that makes their continent bigger while shrinking North America and Europe.
Aimed at “a more accurate representation” of continental landmasses, the resolution was supported by 164 countries while the US voted against it and six other states abstained.
The new map – known as the Equal Earth cartographic projection – “is a relevant option for improving the accuracy of the cartographic representation of the world”, the resolution said.
It urges member states to adopt the new map in place of the traditional Mercator projection, which was designed for maritime navigation by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569.
Foreign Minister Robert Dussey of Togo, which drove the resolution, said maps “guide education, nourish the imagination, and influence collective perceptions”.
“They are therefore never neutral, when they present a distorted image of our planet, they risk perpetuating inaccurate representation that are passed down through generation.”
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Several African countries will begin using the Equal Earth projection in official and educational contexts within the next year.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Will member states actually adopt the Equal Earth projection in educational and official materials?
- How will the US and other opposing countries respond to the resolution?
- What specific educational or perceptual impacts are expected from the map change?
