The United Nations made a significant decision on Friday to transition from the traditional Mercator global map, which originated in the 16th century, to a more accurate representation of countries’ actual sizes. This resolution, backed by African nations, aims to combat the misconception that Africa is on the fringes of the world map.
Togo spearheaded this initiative as part of the African Union’s efforts to reduce the use of the Mercator map, notorious for distorting the sizes of land masses by exaggerating those closer to the poles. For instance, it erroneously depicts Greenland as being nearly the same size as Africa, despite Africa being approximately 14 times larger.
“A just world starts with a just map,” expressed Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey in anticipation of the UN vote on Friday. The resolution endorses the Equal Earth projection, which provides a more precise portrayal of continent sizes.
Although not legally binding, the resolution does not contest the practicality of using the Mercator projection for maritime and aerial navigation, for which it remains suitable, as stated by the Togolese ministry.
The UN General Assembly approved the resolution with a vote of 164 in favor, one against (the United States), and six abstentions. The U.S. justified its opposition by labeling the resolution as advancing an “ideological agenda” and diverting attention from genuine international peace, prosperity, and diplomacy issues.
Togo is set to revamp its school geography materials by the year’s end to replace the prevalent Mercator map in classrooms. Minister Dussey has expressed Togo’s intent to be the pioneer in this endeavor, emphasizing the importance of setting an example for all countries worldwide.
Furthermore, Togo aims to encourage other governments, educational institutions, international bodies, and technology firms to transition away from the outdated Mercator projection towards Equal Earth, which offers a more accurate depiction of the world.
In the upcoming six months, Togo plans to convene with African Union members and allies from various regions to strategize on how to facilitate broader adoption of the Equal Earth projection. Minister Dussey stressed the necessity of engaging companies involved in mapping, GPS, and location-based technologies in these discussions.
Dussey framed the initiative to adopt the new map as part of broader African initiatives to address legacies of colonialism, emphasizing that it is not an assault on any particular civilization. He attributed the widespread use of the Mercator map to the history of colonization and underscored that both the world and Africa are undergoing transformations.