The UN General Assembly is voting on a resolution that could support the adoption of a new map known as the Equal Earth World Map.
The Equal Earth map shows countries and continents in their correct relative proportions, unlike the Mercator projection that has been widely used for centuries.
The Mercator projection was introduced in 1569 by geographer and cartographer Gerardus Mercator. It was mainly designed to help sailors with navigation.
However, the projection makes areas located farther from the equator appear much larger than they actually are. As a result, Europe, Russia, Greenland and North America can appear disproportionately large compared with regions closer to the equator.
For example, Africa is around 14 times larger than Greenland in reality, but on a Mercator map the two can appear to be of a similar size.
Why Do World Maps Look Different?
The Earth is round, while maps displayed on paper or screens are generally flat. It is therefore impossible to transfer the entire surface of the Earth onto a flat map without some form of distortion.
Different map projections are designed to preserve different geographical features, including direction, shape, distance or area.
The Mercator projection preserves direction well, making it useful for navigation. Its straight lines allow sailors to follow constant compass directions. However, it significantly enlarges areas as they become farther from the equator.
The Equal Earth projection takes a different approach by maintaining the correct relative area of countries and continents.
How Was the Equal Earth Map Created?
The Equal Earth projection was developed in 2018 by cartographer Bojan Šavrič, Tom Patterson of the US National Park Service and Bernhard Jenny of Monash University.
The projection was designed to show land areas in their correct proportions while keeping the overall appearance of the map balanced and familiar.
Its horizontal lines also help show how far different locations are situated north or south of the equator.
Why Is Togo Leading the Campaign?
Togo is leading the campaign for greater use of the Equal Earth map.
Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey told the African Group that the issue was not simply about cartography but also about how people understand the world.
He said maps influence people’s perceptions and can shape children’s understanding of geography from an early age, even when the visual representation does not accurately reflect the real size of different regions.
Dussey said African countries were not seeking special treatment but wanted the true size of Africa to be properly represented on world maps.
What Could Happen Next?
If the UN General Assembly approves the resolution, Togo plans to organise a meeting in the first quarter of 2027 to discuss its implementation.
Representatives from organisations including UNESCO and the African Union, as well as technology companies such as Google Maps, are expected to be invited to discuss how the decision could be put into practice.
However, any change would likely be a long-term institutional process rather than an immediate replacement of the maps currently used around the world.
