UN approves resolution in support of map that shows Africa's true size
The 164-1 vote urges governments, schools and tech companies to use equal-area maps that show Africa and other regions in true proportion.
- The UN General Assembly voted 164 to 1 in favor of an African-led resolution to phase out the traditional Mercator map projection in global institutions.
- Sponsored by Togo and supported by the African Union, the non-binding resolution promotes the use of the "Equal Earth" map projection to depict the true geographical proportions of Africa and other equatorial regions.
- Proponents of the "Correct the Map" initiative argued that the 1569 Mercator projection distorts continental sizes by enlarging landmasses near the poles, making Africa appear roughly equal in size to Greenland when it is actually 14 times larger.
- The resolution encourages schools, international organizations, and tech companies to adopt equal-area maps while acknowledging Mercator's continued utility for maritime and aerial navigation.
- The United States cast the sole opposing vote, describing the measure as an unnecessary "ideological agenda" that distracts from core international peacekeeping and diplomatic priorities.
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The Hindu Business LineIndia votes in favour of UNGA resolution endorsing new world map
United Nations, Sep 05: India has voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution aimed at correcting the world map to promote a “more accurate representation” of continental landmasses. The 193-member UN General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly adopted the resolution ‘“Correct the map”: rebalancing global cartographic representation and promoting equitable representation of the world’s regions, particularly Africa’. The resolution was spon…
Instead of the century-old Mercator projection, they now recommend using the Equal Earth map projection.
With 164 votes in favour and opposition from the US, the UN supported the African initiative to correct the real scale of continents on maps.
The only country that voted against the resolution is the US.
New World Map: UN Adopts Resolution Promoting Equal-Area Projections Over Mercator | 🌎 LatestLY
The UN General Assembly adopted an African Union-backed resolution promoting equal-area world maps like Equal Earth to correct the landmass distortion of the Mercator projection, passing with 164 votes in favor. The proposal for a new world map shows countries’ true size relative to one another. Scroll below to know more. 🌎 New World Map: UN Adopts Resolution Promoting Equal-Area Projections Over Mercator.
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