UN Adopts New World Map Showing Africa’s True Size

The UN General Assembly has backed a resolution promoting world maps that show continents at their actual relative size. The move supports the Equal Earth projection and challenges the widespread use of the 16th-century Mercator map.

The resolution passed on September 4 with 164 votes in favour, one against and six abstentions. The United States cast the only opposing vote. Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine abstained.

Togo led the initiative on behalf of the African Group. Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said a map shapes how people understand continents and their place in the world. He said Africa’s actual size should be represented more accurately.

The resolution does not ban the Mercator projection. It also does not force countries to use one specific map. It encourages governments, schools, international organizations and technology companies to use Equal Earth and other equal-area projections when accurate land-size comparisons matter.

Why The Mercator Map Is Being Challenged

Gerardus Mercator created the projection in 1569. It was designed to support navigation. However, it enlarges areas closer to the poles. This makes Greenland appear similar in size to Africa, although Africa is about 14 times larger.

The Equal Earth projection was developed in 2018. It keeps continents closer to their actual relative areas. The African Union adopted the projection in February 2026.

The French Foreign Ministry has also announced plans to stop using the Mercator projection. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said changing the map does not change the world, but correcting its distorted representation matters.

The UN resolution is non-binding. Its practical effect will depend on whether institutions and map providers choose to adopt the recommended projections.