UN Amends World Map!

New York (Agencies): On Friday, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to improve global map projections so that they more accurately reflect the true size of continents, for example by expanding Africa and reducing the apparent size of the United States. The resolution, introduced by the African Union and Togo and sponsored by France, was adopted with the support of 164 countries, one vote against from the United States, and six abstentions. The resolution urges countries and international organizations to use maps employing the “Equal Earth” projection and to move away from what is known as the “Mercator” projection, named after the 16th-century cartographer Gerardus Mercator, who devised this method in 1569 to solve a practical problem in maritime navigation. Because straight lines on his map correspond to constant compass bearings, sailors were able to use it to plot their courses. However, preserving direction came at the expense of area. Landmasses appear larger the farther they are from the equator. The General Assembly resolution noted that these distortions have contributed to the “symbolic diminishment” of Africa and have perpetuated an unbalanced view of the world.