UN ASSEMBLY BACKS MORE ACCURATE WORLD MAPS IN ‘CORRECT THE MAP’ VOTE

Sat 05 September 2026:

Resolution promotes equal-area projections to address distortions in how Africa and other regions are represented

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for greater use of world maps that more accurately reflect the relative sizes of countries and continents.

The measure, known as the “Correct the Map” resolution, received support from 164 member states. Six abstained, while the United States voted against it.

Put forward by African Union member states and the Bahamas, the resolution seeks to promote more equitable cartographic representations, particularly of Africa.

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Mercator projection criticised

The resolution argues that disproportionate representations of the world have had lasting cognitive, educational, cultural, geopolitical and socioeconomic effects. It says these distortions have contributed to a ‘symbolic minimization’ of Africa and other regions in the global collective imagination.

The Mercator projection, created by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569, increasingly exaggerates the size of land masses farther from the equator.

For example, Greenland can appear roughly comparable in size to Africa on Mercator maps, although Africa is about 14 times larger.

Critics have described the projection as Eurocentric, arguing that its enlarged depiction of Europe and other Northern Hemisphere regions reinforces perceptions of Western superiority. Some have referred to this effect as ‘cartographic colonialism.’

Equal Earth projection promoted

The resolution encourages the use of the Equal Earth projection, introduced in 2018, which more accurately represents the relative surface areas of countries and continents.

It also urges governments, international organisations, educational institutions and other stakeholders to promote equal-area maps. Technology platforms are encouraged to engage with UN member states and regional organisations on their use.

African campaign gains international support

The vote follows a campaign led by African countries to change how the continent is represented on commonly used world maps.

The African Union previously endorsed the Correct the Map initiative, arguing that the Mercator projection has contributed to misconceptions about Africa’s geographical scale.

However, the resolution is non-binding and does not prohibit the use of the Mercator projection. It instead encourages broader adoption of maps that provide a clearer picture of the relative sizes of the world’s regions.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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