The United Nations made a significant decision on Friday to move away from using the outdated Mercator global map, opting for a more accurate representation of countries’ actual sizes. This resolution, championed by African nations, aims to combat the perception that Africa is marginalized on traditional maps.
Togo spearheaded this initiative in support of the African Union’s campaign to reduce the reliance on the Mercator map, known for distorting the size of land masses by exaggerating those closer to the poles. Notably, Africa appears much smaller on the Mercator map compared to its true size, which is approximately 14 times larger than Greenland.
“A fair world starts with an equitable map,” stated Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey prior to the UN vote. The resolution endorses the Equal Earth projection, which provides a more precise depiction of continent sizes.
While the resolution passed in the UN General Assembly with overwhelming support (164 to one, with six abstentions), the United States was the sole dissenting voice. The U.S. argued that the resolution advanced an “ideological agenda” and diverted attention from pressing global issues.
Togo is taking proactive steps to update its educational materials by phasing out the Mercator map in school geography books by the year’s end. Dussey emphasized Togo’s commitment to leading by example and encouraging other nations to follow suit in embracing the Equal Earth projection.
Dussey also announced plans to engage with African Union members and global stakeholders over the next six months to promote broader adoption of the Equal Earth map. This initiative aligns with broader African endeavors to address colonial legacies and does not seek to undermine any particular region or culture.
“The world is evolving, and Africa is evolving with it,” Dussey emphasized, highlighting the importance of embracing more accurate and inclusive representations of the global landscape.
