The Aporia · UN approves resolution in support of map that shows Africa's true size

The UN General Assembly voted in favor of a resolution sponsored by African states to promote the Equal Earth projection, which accurately represents the size of continents, over the 16th-century Mercator map. The resolution passed with 164 votes in support and only 1 vote against from the US, with 6 countries abstaining. Togo led the initiative, citing that the Mercator map makes Africa appear smaller than Greenland, when in fact it is about 14 times larger. The resolution is not legally binding but aims to encourage schools, governments, and companies to adopt the Equal Earth projection, starting with Togo's plan to change its school geography materials by the end of the year.

Written by AI on 2026-09-04, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

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September 4th, 164 countries, including France and the UK, voted in favor of a resolution at the UN General Assembly to adopt a new world map that more accurately reflects the size of Africa. Only the US voted against it, with six other states abstaining. The new map, known as the Equal Earth cartographic projection, aims to provide a more accurate representation of continental landmasses and reduce distortions caused by the traditional Mercator projection, which has been widely used since the 16th century. According to Foreign Minister Robert Dussey of Togo, "a fair world begins with a fair map," highlighting the importance of cartography in shaping our understanding of the world. The resolution promotes the use of the Equal Earth projection over the Mercator projection, which distorts the relative size of land masses by expanding those nearer the poles, making Greenland appear roughly the same size as Africa, although Africa is about 14 times larger.

Written for “UN Adopts New World Map” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 24 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 UN Adopts New World Map

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UN approves resolution in support of map that shows Africa's true size NEW YORK, Sept 4 - The United Nations on Friday voted for a shift away from the 16th-century Mercator global map towards one more accurately reflecting countries' true size, a resolution sponsored by African states to counter perceptions that the continent is peripheral. asserted

continent → approve → perceptions

Togo led the initiative to further the African Union campaign to limit use of the Mercator map, which distorts the relative size of land masses by expanding those nearer the poles. asserted

which → lead → poles

It makes Greenland appear roughly the same size as Africa, though Africa is about 14 times larger. asserted

Africa → make → Africa

"A fair world begins with a fair map," Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey told Reuters ahead of Friday's vote. asserted

Minister → begin → vote

The resolution promotes the Equal Earth projection, which more accurately portrays the size of the continents. asserted

which → promote → continents

It is not legally binding and it "in no way challenges the use of the Mercator projection for maritime and aerial navigation, for which it remains fully suited," the Togolese ministry said in a statement. asserted

ministry → challenge → statement

The resolution passed in the U.N. General Assembly by a vote of 164 to 1 with 6 abstentions. asserted

resolution → pass → abstentions

The United States, the only country to vote against the resolution, said it promoted an "ideological agenda" and was a distraction from the "genuine problems of international peace, prosperity or good relations". asserted

it → vote → peace

TOGO TO CHANGE MAPS IN SCHOOLS THIS YEAR, MINISTER SAYS The Mercator map remains widely used in classrooms, but Togo hopes to change its school geography materials by the end of the year, Dussey told Reuters. asserted

Dussey → change → Reuters

"Togo will be the first country to change our own geography books," Dussey said. asserted

Dussey → change → books

"In the classroom, we need to change it to give an example to all the countries in the world. asserted

we → need → world

" Togo will press other governments, schools, international organisations and technology companies to move away from the centuries-old Mercator projection, Dussey said, adding that Equal Earth offers "the best perception" of the world. asserted

Earth → press → world

Togo plans to meet African Union member states and supporters from other regions within the next six months to agree on how to promote wider adoption, Dussey said. asserted

Dussey → plan → adoption

Dussey said the discussion about next steps would need to include companies operating mapping, GPS and other location-based technologies. asserted

discussion → say → mapping

Dussey linked the campaign to adopt the map to wider African efforts to confront colonial-era legacies, while saying it was not an attack on Europe or any other civilisation. asserted

it → link → Europe

The Mercator map's widespread use is a consequence of colonization, he said. asserted

he → say → colonization

"The world is changing. asserted

world → change → ?

Africa also is changing." asserted

Africa → change → ?

UN approves resolution in support of map that shows Africa's true size

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