Summary (tl;dr)

The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution, spearheaded by Togo, to promote the use of world maps that accurately depict the true size of continents, particularly Africa, moving away from the distorting Mercator projection.

Essential Background

For centuries, the widely used Mercator map projection, developed in the 16th century for maritime navigation, has significantly distorted the relative sizes of landmasses, exaggerating those closer to the poles and shrinking those near the equator. This distortion makes Africa, which is approximately 14 times larger than Greenland, appear roughly the same size as Greenland on many traditional maps. This long-standing cartographic misrepresentation has led to what some describe as "cartographic colonialism," influencing global perceptions of Africa's importance and size. In August 2025, the African Union endorsed the "#CorrectTheMap" campaign, tasking Togo with leading efforts for broader adoption of more accurate map projections.

The Full Story

On Friday, September 4, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to adopt a Togo-sponsored resolution calling for a shift away from the Mercator global map. The resolution, titled “Correct the Map,” promotes the Equal Earth projection, which more accurately portrays the true size of continents. The measure passed with 164 votes in favor, six abstentions, and only one country, the United States, voting against it. Togo's Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, emphasized that "A fair world begins with a fair map," linking the initiative to broader African efforts to address colonial-era legacies. While the resolution is not legally binding, Togo has announced plans to be the first country to change its geography textbooks this year to reflect the Equal Earth projection and will encourage other governments, schools, and technology companies, including Google Maps, to adopt it.

Why It Matters

This resolution holds significant importance beyond mere cartographic accuracy; it addresses issues of "cognitive justice," accurate geographical knowledge, and the dignity of peoples and historical memory. The historical distortion on maps has contributed to symbolically minimizing Africa's perceived size, fostering an unbalanced view of global geography. By advocating for maps that accurately represent Africa's scale, the campaign challenges deep-seated perceptions that may have influenced socioeconomic and geopolitical understanding. The move also highlights Africa's growing diplomatic influence on the international stage and its commitment to correcting colonial-era narratives.

Geographic Location

• United Nations Headquarters, New York City, New York, United States (UN General Assembly voted on resolution)
• Lomé, Maritime Region, Togo (Togo spearheaded the resolution and plans to change school maps)