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Current Affairs

UN Approves Resolution to Replace Mercator Map with Equal Earth Projection Highlighting Africa's True Size

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On 4 September 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution sponsored by Togo and backed by the African Union to promote the use of the Equal Earth map projection instead of the traditional Mercator projection. The resolution passed with 164 votes in favor, 6 abstentions, and only 1 opposing vote from the United States. This change addresses centuries-old distortions that minimized Africa’s size on maps, impacting global perception. The new map projection preserves relative land areas, presenting a more accurate view of continents, especially Africa, which is about 14 times larger than Greenland—often portrayed similarly sized in Mercator maps. Implementation plans include updates in education and public information starting late 2026.

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Key Facts

  • The UN General Assembly approved the resolution on 4 September 2026 with 164 votes for, 6 abstentions, and 1 vote against (USA).
  • The resolution promotes the Equal Earth map projection, created in 2018, which preserves the relative area of continents more accurately than the 16th-century Mercator projection.
  • The Mercator projection, developed in 1569 by Gerardus Mercator, was designed for navigation and preserves direction but causes area distortion, especially inflating lands near the poles.
  • Africa is about 14 times larger than Greenland, but the Mercator map shows them roughly the same size, distorting global perceptions.
  • The African Union backed the initiative, framing it as "cognitive justice", highlighting the educational and geopolitical effects of distorted maps.
  • Togo led the resolution effort and plans to update school curricula and textbooks by the end of 2026, with a major implementation event in Lomé in early 2027 involving UNESCO, the African Union, and Google Maps.

Background & Context

The Mercator projection, developed in 1569, was primarily designed for marine navigation as it preserves compass bearings as straight lines. Although useful for navigation, it considerably enlarges areas near the poles, causing distortions in continental sizes — especially exaggerating Greenland and underrepresenting Africa’s area. The Equal Earth projection, created in 2018 by Bojan Savric, Tom Patterson, and Bernhard Jenny, is an equal-area map projection that preserves relative land area, making it more suitable for educational materials and thematic mapping.

Africa’s distorted size on maps has long contributed to misperceptions of the continent’s geopolitical and socioeconomic importance in the world. The African Union and member states led an effort to address this through the United Nations. The UN General Assembly’s resolution is a symbolic and educational milestone to promote equitable cartographic representation reflecting true sizes of countries and continents.

Why This Matters for Exams

This development integrates geography with current international affairs, reflecting how cartographic science intersects with politics and education. Exam questions may ask about different map projections, their characteristics, distortions they cause, and the significance of the UN’s role in fostering global awareness. Understanding the motivation and implications behind replacing the Mercator projection with the Equal Earth projection is crucial for higher secondary and competitive examinations focusing on geography and global governance.

Points to Remember

  • Mercator projection was developed in 1569 by Gerardus Mercator and remains widely used primarily for navigation and certain digital maps.
  • Equal Earth projection was introduced in 2018 as an equal-area projection balancing shape and area for better educational use.
  • The UN resolution to promote Equal Earth projection passed with 164 in favor, 6 abstentions, and 1 against (the USA) in September 2026.
  • Africa is about 14 times larger than Greenland, a fact not reflected in Mercator maps.
  • The resolution was led by Togo on behalf of the African Union to correct cognitive and educational misconceptions.
  • Implementation includes curriculum updates and a key event planned in Lomé in 2027 involving UNESCO and technology partners.
  • The UN General Assembly has 193 member states; resolutions are non-binding but symbolically significant.

Practice MCQs

Question 1

  1. Mercator projection was developed in 2018.
  2. Equal Earth projection was developed in 1569.
  3. Mercator projection was developed by Gerardus Mercator in 1569.
  4. Equal Earth projection distorts Africa's actual size.

Answer: C

Question 2

  1. The United Nations resolution promoting Equal Earth projection was adopted in 2026.
  2. The resolution was opposed by the African Union.
  3. 164 countries voted against the resolution.
  4. The United States voted in favor of the resolution.

Answer: A

Question 3

  1. Mercator projection accurately represents relative land areas worldwide.
  2. Africa is approximately the same size as Greenland on Equal Earth maps.
  3. The Mercator projection substantially enlarges Greenland relative to Africa.
  4. Equal Earth projection enlarges Greenland more than Africa.

Answer: C

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