UN endorses map standard for accurate landmass size

The United Nations General Assembly has endorsed a new world map standard aimed at correcting longstanding cartographic distortions, particularly regarding the size of Africa. The resolution, adopted on Friday, September 4, 2026, encourages the global shift away from the widely used Mercator projection towards equal-area projections that more accurately represent continental proportions. The resolution, championed by Togo on behalf of the African Union and the African Group, passed with overwhelming support, receiving 164 votes in favor. The United States was the sole country to vote against it, while six nations abstained. Proponents argue that the traditional Mercator map, developed in the 16th century primarily for maritime navigation, significantly distorts the relative sizes of landmasses. This distortion makes regions closer to the poles appear much larger, leading to Africa appearing comparable in size to Greenland, despite the continent being approximately 14 times larger. Togo's Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, emphasized the profound impact of maps on global understanding, stating that they guide education, shape imagination, and influence collective perceptions.