The United Nations on Friday approved a change to the world map, moving away from the Mercator projection of the 16th century to one that reflects more accurately the actual sizes of countries — a resolution sponsored by African countries to counter the perception that the continent is peripheral.
The Togolese-led initiative aimed to carry forward the African Union’s campaign to limit the use of the Mercator map, which distorts the relative sizes of landmasses by enlarging those nearer the poles. This makes Greenland appear roughly the same size as Africa, even though Africa is about 14 times larger.
“A fair world begins with a fair map,” said the Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey to Reuters before Friday’s vote (the 4th).
The resolution promotes the Equal Earth projection, which portrays the sizes of the continents more accurately.
It is not legally binding and “in no way questions the use of the Mercator projection for maritime and aerial navigation, for which it remains entirely suitable,” the Togolese ministry said in a statement.
The resolution was approved by the United Nations General Assembly by 164 votes in favor, 1 against and 6 abstentions.
The United States, the only country to vote against the resolution, said it promotes an “ideological agenda” and constitutes a distraction from the “real problems of international peace, prosperity or good relations.”
Maps in Schools
The Mercator map continues to be widely used in classrooms, but the Togolese government expects to change its school geography materials by the end of the year, Dussey told Reuters.
“In classrooms, we need to change this to set an example for all the countries of the world.”
The Togolese will press other governments, schools, international organizations, and technology companies to abandon the Mercator projection, which has centuries of use, Dussey said, adding that the Equal Earth offers “the best perception” of the world.
The Togolese plan to meet with African Union member states and supporters from other regions over the next six months to reach an agreement on how to promote broader adoption, the minister said.
For Dussey, the discussion of next steps needs to include companies operating in mapping, GPS, and other location-based technologies.
And it ties the campaign for adopting the map to Africa’s broader efforts to confront the legacies of the colonial era, while at the same time arguing that it is not an attack on Europe or any other civilization.
The widespread use of the Mercator map is a consequence of colonization, he said.
“The world is changing. Africa is also changing.”
