The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to adopt the "Correct the Map" resolution, which calls for the replacement of the traditional Mercator projection with a map that correctly portrays the size of Africa.
The motion, put forward by Togo and backed by members of the African Union, received affirmative votes from 164 nations, with the United States the sole dissenting vote and six countries abstaining.
The Mercator map, devised in 1569 by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator, has long been criticised for inflating the size of regions near the poles while shrinking those close to the equator.
As a result, Africa appears roughly the same size as Greenland despite being about fourteen times larger, a distortion that campaigners say underplays the continent’s population, resources and economic potential.
Supporters of the resolution highlighted the Equal Earth projection, an equal‑area design created by a team of cartographers in 2018 and adopted by the African Union’s 54 member states in February.
"A fair world begins with a fair map," Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey told Reuters ahead of the vote, adding that maps shape how peoples and continents are understood globally.
French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot announced that France would stop using the Mercator map, arguing that correcting a misrepresentation is a step toward truth, even if it does not alter material conditions.
By contrast, United States representative Yaryna Ferencevych described the debate as a diversion from core UN priorities, suggesting the focus on 16th‑century cartography detracts from issues of peace and prosperity.
African activists welcomed the decision, with Lerato Mogoatlhe of Africa No Filter describing the misrepresentation as a "narrative issue" and a form of misinformation.
Kenyan geographer Kioko Muendo added that inaccurate maps have historically downplayed the continent’s vast opportunities, noting that "maps are more than just guides for travellers – they shape political and economic perceptions".
You may also like
Category: International
Related Video: Dolly Parton’s Family Announces Her Passing in Emotional Tribute
Facebook
Twitter / X
WhatsApp
LinkedIn
Telegram
Reddit