Africa true size — The United Nations General Assembly has approved a non-binding resolution supporting a shift from the centuries-old Mercator world map to the Equal Earth projection, which more accurately represents the size of continents. Led by Togo and backed by African Union members, the resolution passed on September 5, 2026, by a vote of 164 to 1, with six abstentions. The move aims to correct long-standing geographic distortions that minimize the scale of Africa and other equatorial regions.

Under the Mercator projection, developed in 1569, landmasses near the poles appear larger than they are—making Greenland seem comparable in size to Africa, despite Africa being approximately 14 times bigger. Foreign Minister Robert Dussey of Togo, a key advocate, stated, “A fair world begins with a fair map,” emphasizing accurate representation in shaping global perspectives. The resolution explicitly preserves the Mercator map’s use in navigation, where its mathematical properties remain useful.

The United States opposed the resolution, calling it an ideological distraction from pressing international issues. Togo plans to implement the Equal Earth map in its national school curriculum by the end of 2026, becoming the first country to adopt the updated projection in public education. The initiative is part of a broader effort to decolonize educational content and promote geographic accuracy in global discourse.