UN approves resolution in support of map that shows Africa’s true size

Togo led the initiative to further the African Union campaign to ​limit use of the Mercator map, which distorts the relative size of land masses by expanding ​those nearer the poles. It makes Greenland appear roughly the same size as Africa, ⁠though Africa is about 14 times larger.

“A fair world begins with a fair map,” Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert ​Dussey told Reuters ahead of Friday’s vote.

The resolution promotes the Equal Earth projection, which more accurately portrays the ​size of the continents.

It is not legally binding and it “in no way challenges the use of the Mercator projection for maritime and aerial navigation, for which it remains fully suited,” the Togolese ministry said in a statement.

The United States, the only country to ​vote against the resolution, said it promoted an “ideological agenda” and was a distraction from the “genuine problems of international peace, prosperity ‌or good ⁠relations”.

The Mercator map remains widely used in classrooms, but Togo hopes to change its school geography materials by the end of the year, Dussey told Reuters.

“In the classroom, we need to change ​it to give an example ​to all the countries ⁠in the world.”

Togo will press other governments, schools, international organisations and technology companies to move away from the centuries-old Mercator projection, Dussey said, adding that Equal Earth ​offers “the best perception” of the world.

Dussey said the discussion about next steps would need to include companies operating mapping, GPS and other location-based technologies.

Dussey linked the campaign ⁠to adopt ​the map to wider African efforts to confront colonial-era legacies, while ​saying it was not an attack on Europe or any other civilisation.

The Mercator map’s widespread use is a consequence of colonization, he ​said.

“The world is changing. Africa also is changing.”