The United Nations voted on Friday to transition from the outdated Mercator global map, which distorts the true size of countries, to a more accurate representation. This move, spearheaded by Togo, aims to address the misperception of Africa as a peripheral continent. The Mercator map, by exaggerating land masses near the poles, falsely equates the size of Greenland to Africa, despite Africa being significantly larger.
Togo championed the shift towards the Equal Earth projection, a map that offers a more precise depiction of continent sizes. The resolution, while not legally binding, received overwhelming support in the UN General Assembly, with 164 votes in favor, one against, and six abstentions. The United States, the sole dissenting vote, criticized the resolution as advancing an ideological agenda.
Togo has ambitious plans to update its school geography materials by the end of the year, setting an example for other nations. By advocating for the adoption of the Equal Earth projection, Togo aims to prompt governments, schools, international bodies, and tech firms to move away from the flawed Mercator map. This initiative aligns with broader African efforts to address colonial legacies and promote accurate representations of the continent.