UN General Assembly to Vote on Accurate Africa Map

The UN General Assembly is set to vote on a resolution to phase out the traditional Mercator map in favor of the Equal Earth projection, which provides a more accurate representation of Africa's size. This resolution is sponsored by Togo and has the backing of the African Union's 54 member states.

Togo’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Robert Dussey, emphasized the need to change the narrative regarding Africa's representation on world maps. The Mercator projection, created in 1569, distorts landmass sizes, making Africa appear similar in size to Greenland, despite being 14 times larger.

The Equal Earth projection, developed by cartographers in 2018, aims to reverse misconceptions about Africa and promote a more accurate understanding in education and public discourse. If the resolution passes, it could lead to updates in educational curricula and technology.

Togo plans to collaborate with UNESCO and tech companies like Google Maps for implementation in early 2024.