The United Nations made a significant decision on Friday to move away from the outdated Mercator global map, used since the 16th century, in favor of a more accurate representation of countries’ true sizes. This resolution was proposed by African nations to combat the perception of Africa being marginalized.
Togo spearheaded this initiative as part of the African Union’s campaign to reduce the reliance on the Mercator map, which distorts the sizes of land masses by exaggerating those closer to the poles. For instance, it falsely depicts Greenland as being similar in size to Africa, although Africa is approximately 14 times larger.
“A fair world starts with an impartial map,” remarked Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey in anticipation of the vote on Friday.
The resolution advocates for the Equal Earth projection, a more precise method of illustrating the continents’ sizes. It is worth noting that this resolution is not legally binding and does not challenge the use of the Mercator projection for maritime and aerial navigation, where it remains suitable.
The UN General Assembly approved the resolution with a vote of 164 in favor, one against (the United States), and six abstentions. The US opposed the resolution, arguing that it pushed an ideological agenda and diverted attention from genuine international concerns like peace, prosperity, and good relations.
Togo is taking proactive steps to implement this change in educational settings. By the end of the year, the country aims to update its school geography materials, becoming the first nation to do so. Dussey emphasized the importance of setting an example for all countries worldwide by altering classroom maps.
Additionally, Togo plans to encourage other governments, schools, international organizations, and technology firms to transition away from the outdated Mercator projection. Dussey highlighted that the Equal Earth projection provides the most accurate representation of the world.
In the upcoming six months, Togo intends to convene with African Union members and supporters from various regions to coordinate efforts for broader adoption of the updated projection. Dussey emphasized the need to involve companies specializing in mapping, GPS, and location-based technologies in discussions about the transition.
Dussey tied this initiative to broader African endeavors to address the legacies of colonialism, clarifying that it is not an assault on any particular civilization. He underscored that the prevalent use of the Mercator map stemmed from the era of colonization, and emphasized that both Africa and the world are evolving.