What's happened
164 nations have backed a UN-backed move to replace the Mercator projection with the Equal Earth map, highlighting Africa’s true size and challenging long-standing cartographic assumptions. The measure is non-binding but could alter how institutions display the world.
What's behind the headline?
Context and stakes
- 164 nations have supported the move to adopt Equal Earth in UN maps, signaling a shift in how the world is visually framed.
- The United States has opposed the measure, underscoring geopolitical divides over representation.
Implications for readers
- If widely adopted, maps used by governments, educators, and companies could reframe perceptions of continental sizes, potentially influencing aid decisions and international diplomacy.
- The change is symbolic but carries real power in shaping narratives about development and regional importance.
What comes next
- The UN vote is non-binding; adoption will depend on member institutions choosing to implement the new projection in official materials.
How we got here
France has co-sponsored the resolution and is pushing for a map that represents Africa more accurately. The Equal Earth projection was created in 2018 by cartographers to address distortions in the Mercator map, which inflates northern regions and minimizes equatorial areas.
Our analysis
France 24 reports the resolution has 164 supporters; BBC and Independent provide broader context on Equal Earth projection and Africa’s representation; all note the non-binding nature of the vote and the map’s potential symbolic impact.
Go deeper
- Will major institutions adopt Equal Earth in official materials?
- How will this shift affect education and policy in Africa?
- Which sectors are most likely to change their maps first?
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