Full Breakdown
UN Vote Endorses New Map Projection Emphasizing Africa’s True Scale
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
In a recent United Nations General Assembly vote, member states approved the adoption of the Equal Earth projection—a map design that portrays continents, especially Africa, at a size more consistent with their actual land area. The resolution passed with 164 countries in favor, six abstentions, and a single dissenting vote from the United States. The change follows longstanding criticism of traditional projections such as the Mercator, which enlarge regions near the poles and shrink equatorial lands.
Background & Context
Conventional flat-world maps inevitably distort geography because translating a three-dimensional sphere onto a two-dimensional surface requires trade-offs. The Mercator projection, created in Europe for navigation, inflates the size of high-latitude territories like Greenland while minimizing the expanse of equatorial regions such as Africa. Scholars note that this visual bias can shape public perception and policy.
Political leaders have occasionally used map alterations to signal broader agendas. In August, former President Donald Trump signed an order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” amid a trade dispute with Canada, and in January 2025 he renamed the Gulf of Mexico “Gulf of America.” Some technology firms, including Google and Apple, reflected those changes for U.S. users, while others, such as MapQuest and Canadian platforms, did not.
Data & Statistics
- Vote tally: 164 in favor, 6 abstentions, 1 against (United States).
- Projection impact: The Equal Earth map increases Africa’s displayed area by roughly 30 % compared with the Mercator, aligning it more closely with its actual landmass.
Official Statements & Responses
Academics emphasize the political weight of cartographic choices. “To the extent that maps come to shape the way that we think about different places and people who inhabit them, maps structure our politics in ways that then have consequences,” — Alex Moulton, assistant professor in the geography and environmental science department at Hunter Colleg
Nerve Macaspac, a political geographer at Queens College, adds that visualizing Africa at its true size carries “economic and political implications,” suggesting that map accuracy can influence how resources and partnerships are perceived. “If you see Africa as a smaller land mass, there’s a political implication to that. If we see it larger or it’s in true size, then there is economic and political implications to it,” — Nerve Macaspac, a political geographer and assistant professor at Queens College
Criticism & Opposition
The United States’ solitary vote against the resolution reflects a reluctance to endorse a projection that challenges entrenched cartographic norms. Critics of the change argue that adopting a new standard could create inconsistencies in educational materials, navigation systems, and international agreements that currently rely on established projections.
Why It Matters
By presenting continents in proportion to their actual size, the Equal Earth projection may affect geopolitical discourse, trade negotiations, and development aid allocation. A more accurate visual representation of Africa could foster greater recognition of its economic potential and demographic significance, potentially influencing foreign investment and policy decisions.
What's Next
The United Nations plans to promote the Equal Earth projection in future publications and encourage member states to incorporate it into official documents and educational curricula. No specific implementation deadline has been set.