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2h ago

UN General Assembly Endorses Equal-Area Maps to Correct Mercator Distortion

The non-binding resolution urges governments, schools and technology platforms to favour the Equal Earth projection as a step to fix centuries-old visual biases in how continents are shown.

A version of the Equal Earth map with Oceania at the center
The Equal Earth projection accurately reflects countries' relative sizes.
Image
FILE - Soldiers look at a world map as they wait to board a flight in Manas, Kyrgyzstan, on the way home after completing a deployment in Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/David Goldman, file)

Overview

  • The General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of the measure on Friday, September 4, 2026, with 164 states for, one against and six abstentions.
  • Togo led the campaign on behalf of African states and the African Union and said it will replace Mercator maps in its school materials by the end of the year.
  • The resolution promotes the Equal Earth equal-area projection because Mercator enlarges regions near the poles and shrinks equatorial lands, which can make Greenland appear similar in size to Africa despite Africa being roughly 14 times larger.
  • The decision is advisory and does not ban Mercator or affect its use for maritime or aerial navigation; wider change depends on voluntary adoption by governments, publishers and digital map companies.
  • Supporters call the move a correction of ‘cartographic colonialism’ that shapes perceptions in classrooms and media, while opponents including the United States said the effort was ideological and a distraction from other priorities.