U.N. Adopts New Map Projection Favoring Africa’s Size

The United Nations voted on Friday to endorse revised map projections that increase Africa’s size, a decision they assert will “more accurately reflect the true size of continents.” This vote represents the conclusion of a campaign led by African nations against the longstanding 16th-century Mercator projection, which is still the most common map used globally.

Interestingly, the United States was the only country to oppose the resolution, labeling the “correct the map” initiative as part of a “radical ideological project,” according to a report from the U.N.

With this change, maps will now show the U.S. appearing smaller compared to traditional depictions, as the emphasis on Africa’s enhanced size is part of a larger effort to combat long-held views that see the continent as marginal.

Additionally, countries like France and Russia will also appear smaller in comparison to African equatorial nations, which have celebrated this action as a way to rectify historical injustices and heal past grievances.

Six nations—Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine—chose to abstain from voting.

According to the BBC, while the U.N. vote is non-binding, it will influence the maps utilized by various institutions worldwide.

The Mercator projection has faced criticism for inaccurately representing Africa’s size, depicting it as roughly comparable to Greenland, even though Africa is actually 14 times larger.

Critics argue that this misrepresentation undermines the development needs and potential of countries located near the equator.

The campaign group #CorrectTheMap stated, “You could fit the United States, China, India, Japan, Mexico, and much of Europe into Africa and still have land to spare.”

However, Yaryna Ferencevych, a U.S. representative at the U.N., expressed concerns that the resolution undermines the purpose of the U.N. General Assembly. She remarked, “Instead of focusing on genuine problems of international peace, prosperity, or good relations, this body is debating map projects from the 16th Century, and their role in promoting reparations and ‘cognitive justice.’”

In March, the U.S. had also criticized a resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade to be “the gravest crime against humanity.”