On September *, the United Nations General Assembly voted to adopt a new world map that more accurately represents the size of Africa and other continents. The resolution was sponsored by several African countries, led by Togo, which aims to counter the perception that Africa is peripheral. The new map, known as the Equal Earth cartographic projection, shows Africa as 14 times larger than Greenland, rather than being roughly the same size as in the traditional Mercator map.
164 countries, including France and the UK, voted in favor of the resolution, while the US was the only country to vote against it. Six other countries abstained from the vote. The resolution is non-binding, but is expected to lead to changes in maps used by institutions around the world, including education and technology.
The traditional Mercator map has been widely criticized for its inaccurate representation of continental landmasses, with Africa often appearing smaller than it actually is. This has led to a distorted view of the continent's development needs and potential. The new Equal Earth projection aims to provide a more accurate representation of the world, and to promote "cognitive justice" by acknowledging the true size and importance of Africa and other continents.
Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said that maps "guide education, nourish the imagination, and influence collective perceptions", and that they should be used to promote an accurate understanding of the world. The resolution also notes that the Mercator map is no longer suitable for modern navigation needs, and that alternative projections like the Equal Earth projection are more accurate.
The adoption of the new map is expected to have a significant impact on how Africa and other continents are represented in education, technology, and international relations. It is seen as a major step towards promoting greater understanding and cooperation between countries, particularly those near the equator.
