UN Backs Maps That Show Africa's True Size

If you've ever looked at a world map and thought Greenland seemed huge, you're not imagining things. The most common map makes it look nearly as large as Africa, even though Africa is actually 14 times bigger.

The United Nations just voted to change that. On September 4, the General Assembly passed a resolution encouraging schools, governments, and tech companies to use maps that show countries at their true sizes.

The problem stems from the Mercator projection, a map created in 1569 that's still used everywhere from Google Maps to classrooms. It was designed for ship navigation and works great for that purpose because it keeps compass directions accurate.

But it dramatically distorts size. Countries near the poles look much bigger than they are, while those near the equator appear smaller.

The U.N. now recommends the Equal Earth projection, developed in 2018. This newer map keeps landmass sizes accurate, giving a fairer picture of the world's population, resources, and political landscape.

The push came from African nations, led by Togo, through the #CorrectTheMap campaign. The African Union endorsed it in August 2025, arguing that inaccurate maps have real consequences.

"Maps are more than just guides for travelers. They shape how regions are perceived politically and economically," Kenyan geographer Kioko Muendo explained. When Africa looks smaller on maps, people underestimate its resources, population, and investment potential.

The resolution doesn't ban the Mercator map or force anyone to change. It simply urges institutions to use better maps when size matters and to teach students about map limitations.

The Ripple Effect

Togo plans to update all its geography textbooks before the end of the year, becoming the first country to make the switch. The country's foreign minister captured the mission simply: "A fair world begins with a fair map."

The vote passed overwhelmingly, with only the United States voting against it and six countries abstaining. Beyond Africa, this could reshape how students worldwide understand geography, helping future generations see the planet more accurately from the start.

Correcting how we see the world on paper is one small step toward seeing it more clearly in reality.