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The world map is changing after 450 years of the Mercator era
New York City: A map used by generations across classrooms, offices and digital platforms is now at the centre of a global debate after the United Nations backed a new way of representing the world. The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution encouraging the use of the Equal Earth projection, a map system designed to show continents according to their actual size.
The move has placed Africa at the heart of a major cartographic transformation, as the continent appears much larger compared to the traditional Mercator map. The decision, supported by 164 countries, has triggered discussions about how maps influence education, global perception and the way nations understand their place in the world.
While supporters call it a correction of centuries-old geographical distortion, the United States opposed the resolution, saying the UN should focus on more urgent international challenges.
For more than four centuries, the Mercator projection has been the most recognised world map. Created by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569, the map was originally developed to help sailors navigate oceans by maintaining accurate directions and angles.
However, the projection created a major visual distortion. Regions closer to the poles appear much larger than their real size, while countries near the equator appear smaller.
This means continents such as Africa and South America have historically looked smaller on maps, while Europe, North America and Russia appear visually enlarged.
The most striking example is Greenland and Africa. On traditional Mercator maps, Greenland appears almost comparable in size to Africa. In reality, Africa is nearly 14 times larger than Greenland.
The newly promoted Equal Earth projection was created in 2018 by a team of international cartographers to provide a more accurate representation of continental areas.
Unlike the Mercator system, Equal Earth follows an equal-area mapping method, meaning continents are displayed closer to their actual surface size.
Under this projection, Africa, Latin America, South Asia and Oceania gain a more realistic visual presence, while northern regions appear smaller compared to traditional maps.
Experts in geography and cartography explain that no flat map can perfectly represent a spherical planet, but equal-area projections provide a scientifically stronger understanding of the world’s physical geography.
The resolution was introduced by Togo with backing from African nations and the African Union. Supporters of the initiative argue that maps are not just scientific diagrams but powerful educational and cultural tools that influence how people perceive countries and continents.
African campaigners have long argued that the Mercator projection reduced the perceived size of Africa and other regions of the Global South, creating an imbalance in global visual representation. The campaign has also become part of a wider discussion about colonial history, knowledge systems and how geographical information shapes international understanding.
The United States voted against the proposal, becoming the only country to oppose the resolution. Washington questioned the priority of the initiative and argued that the United Nations should focus on issues such as wars, economic instability, climate change and humanitarian crises.
Supporters of the resolution, however, believe that accurate geographical representation matters because maps influence education systems, public awareness and global perspectives.
France supported the resolution and announced plans to move away from the Mercator projection in favour of more accurate alternatives. French officials argued that the traditional map gives greater visual importance to countries in the Northern Hemisphere while making regions such as Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia appear smaller.
France’s support comes at a time when it is attempting to rebuild relations with several African nations where colonial history remains a sensitive issue.
The UN decision does not legally force countries, schools or technology companies to immediately replace the Mercator projection. The resolution is non-binding and mainly encourages governments, educational institutions and organisations to adopt Equal Earth or other equal-area projections wherever accurate size comparison is required.
The Mercator map will continue to remain useful for navigation because its ability to preserve directions makes it valuable for maritime purposes.
The biggest change could be visible in geography textbooks, educational platforms and public information materials. If more countries adopt the Equal Earth projection, students may learn about continents through a map that better reflects actual land size.
Technology companies, publishers and international organisations may also reconsider how they present the world through digital maps and visual communication. Experts believe the debate is not only about changing a map but about changing the way humanity visually understands global geography.
The UN’s decision has transformed a technical cartography issue into a worldwide conversation about history, science and perception. Supporters believe the new map provides a fairer and more accurate picture of the planet, while critics argue that changing projections will not solve larger political and economic challenges. But the debate has highlighted one powerful idea, that maps do not simply represent the world; they influence how people see it.
