UN General Assembly Approves New Map for Accurate Representation of Africa

The United Nations General Assembly has taken a significant step towards rectifying historical inaccuracies in world maps by endorsing a new projection that portrays Africa in its true size. This resolution, passed on Friday, was spearheaded by Togo and received overwhelming support from 164 member states, highlighting a collective effort by African nations and advocacy groups.

The newly favored Equal Earth projection replaces the traditional Mercator map, which has been in use since the 16th century. This older model has often misrepresented the size of continents, making Africa appear much smaller than it actually is—14 times less than Greenland, according to the Equal Earth view. Notably, the United States was the only nation to oppose the resolution, while six others, including Serbia and Estonia, chose to abstain.

Encouragement for Global Adoption

The resolution does not mandate the replacement of the Mercator map but encourages governments and institutions to adopt the Equal Earth projection for more accurate geographical representation. Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, emphasized the importance of maps in shaping our understanding of the world, stating, “They guide education, nourish the imagination, and influence collective perceptions.”

Support from Advocacy Groups

Advocacy groups, including Africa No Filter, have lauded the resolution as a victory for accurate geographical representation. They aim to see this new mapping approach integrated into schools, textbooks, and various media platforms. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot echoed this sentiment, stating that while changing the map doesn't alter the world, correcting distorted representations is an essential step towards truth.

Source: www.independent.co.uk