Category: Science & World
Last Updated: September 8, 2026
For more than 450 years, one particular world map projection has shaped how billions of people visualize our planet.
Now, that map is facing a major challenge.
The United Nations General Assembly has backed an African-led initiative encouraging the wider use of map projections that represent the true relative size of continents and countries more accurately.
The resolution does not ban the famous Mercator projection. Instead, it encourages greater awareness of how different map projections can change the way we see the world.
Quick Summary
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Mercator Projection | Created by Gerardus Mercator in 1569 and designed primarily for navigation. |
| Main Problem | It significantly exaggerates the apparent size of areas farther from the Equator. |
| Africa vs Greenland | Africa is roughly 14 times larger than Greenland in actual area, despite looking much closer in size on many Mercator maps. |
| Equal Earth | A modern equal-area projection developed in 2018 to represent the relative areas of continents and countries more accurately. |
| Correct the Map | An African-led campaign promoting greater use of more area-accurate world maps. |
| UN Resolution | The initiative encourages wider consideration and use of equal-area projections. |
| Does It Ban Mercator? | No. The Mercator projection remains useful, particularly for navigation. |
What Is the Mercator Projection?
The Mercator projection is one of the most recognizable ways of representing the three-dimensional Earth on a flat map.
It was created by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569.
Its major purpose was navigation. The projection preserves angles and makes lines of constant compass direction appear as straight lines, which made it extremely useful for sailors navigating across oceans.
That is why the Mercator projection became enormously influential.
However, it was never designed to accurately represent the relative size of every country and continent.
Why Does the Mercator Map Distort Size?
The Earth is roughly spherical, while a traditional map is flat. Turning a globe into a flat surface inevitably introduces some form of distortion.
In the Mercator projection, areas become increasingly enlarged as they move away from the Equator toward the poles.
This means countries located at high northern or southern latitudes can appear much larger than they actually are relative to countries near the Equator.
The distortion becomes particularly obvious when comparing Greenland and Africa.
Africa vs Greenland: The Famous Example
| Region | Approximate Actual Area | What Mercator Can Make It Look Like |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | About 30.4 million km² | Much less dominant in apparent size than its real area suggests. |
| Greenland | About 2.2 million km² | Appears dramatically enlarged because of its high latitude. |
In reality, Africa is roughly 14 times larger than Greenland.
Yet on a standard Mercator world map, Greenland can visually appear surprisingly close to Africa in size.
This does not mean the Mercator projection is a bad map. It means that it was designed to prioritize different properties, especially navigation.
So, Is the Mercator Projection "Wrong"?
No.
Calling Mercator simply "wrong" is misleading.
Every map projection makes compromises because a curved planet cannot be perfectly flattened onto a two-dimensional surface.
The Mercator projection prioritizes angles and directions rather than preserving the true area of continents and countries.
That makes it particularly useful for navigation.
The problem occurs when a map designed for navigation is treated as though it accurately represents the relative size of the world's landmasses.
What Is the Equal Earth Projection?
Equal Earth is a modern world map projection introduced in 2018 by cartographers Bojan Šavrič, Tom Patterson and Bernhard Jenny.
Unlike Mercator, Equal Earth is an equal-area projection.
This means that the relative areas of countries and continents are represented much more accurately.
Africa therefore appears much closer to its true relative size compared with Greenland, Europe and other regions.
However, Equal Earth also introduces some shape distortion. No flat map can preserve area, shape, distance and direction perfectly at the same time.
What Is the "Correct the Map" Campaign?
The "Correct the Map" campaign is an African-led initiative calling for greater awareness and use of world maps that represent the relative size of continents more accurately.
The campaign was introduced through Togo on behalf of the African Group and received support from the African Union.
The central argument is straightforward: maps used in education, media and public communication can influence how people perceive the importance and size of different parts of the world.
Because Africa is located largely around and south of the Equator, its enormous landmass can appear visually diminished on some commonly used world maps.
What Did the United Nations Do?
On September 4, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly backed an African-led resolution encouraging wider consideration of equal-area map projections.
The move is part of a broader effort to improve geographic representation and raise awareness about the distortions created by commonly used map projections.
Importantly, the resolution does not mean that the United Nations has banned the Mercator projection.
It also does not require every country, website or mapping service to immediately switch to Equal Earth.
Does This Mean Mercator Maps Will Disappear?
Probably not.
The Mercator projection still has important practical uses, particularly in navigation and certain digital mapping applications.
Different maps are designed for different purposes.
An equal-area map is useful when comparing the size of countries, continents, forests, agricultural regions or other geographic areas.
A navigation-focused projection can be more useful when plotting directions and routes.
In other words, the future is unlikely to involve one map completely replacing every other map.
What Could Actually Change?
The biggest potential change could be in the maps people see in education, media and data visualization.
- School textbooks could use more equal-area world maps.
- News organizations could use projections that better represent continental size.
- Infographics could use equal-area projections when comparing geographic statistics.
- Educational websites could show multiple projections instead of presenting one map as the default view.
- Public awareness about map distortion could increase.
The goal is therefore less about destroying the Mercator map and more about choosing the right projection for the right purpose.
What About Google Maps?
This does not mean that services such as Google Maps will suddenly replace their existing map systems with Equal Earth.
Interactive mapping platforms often use different projections depending on the function of the map.
Navigation, local street mapping, satellite imagery and global geographic visualization have different technical requirements.
The UN initiative is primarily about encouraging more accurate representation of geographic area and increasing awareness of projection choices.
What About India and the Map Debate?
India's position on the issue does not mean that adopting an equal-area projection changes India's official territorial position.
Map projection and territorial boundaries are two separate issues.
A projection determines how a three-dimensional Earth is displayed on a flat surface. It does not determine which territory a country claims or recognizes.
India supported the resolution while emphasizing that no single projection necessarily needs to become universal and that official maps must continue to respect relevant territorial and administrative considerations.
Does Changing the Map Change Political Borders?
No.
A map projection cannot create, remove or legally transfer territory.
Changing from Mercator to Equal Earth changes the visual representation of geographic space, not the underlying political or legal status of a territory.
This distinction is especially important when discussing disputed regions or official national maps.
Why Maps Matter More Than We Think
Maps are not just technical tools.
They also influence how people understand the world.
If a country repeatedly appears visually enormous, people may subconsciously associate its physical size with greater geographic importance.
Likewise, if an enormous continent appears smaller than expected, its actual scale can be underestimated.
This is one reason the debate over map projections has become much bigger than a simple cartography discussion.
Mercator vs Equal Earth
| Feature | Mercator | Equal Earth |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 1569 | 2018 |
| Main Purpose | Navigation and preserving angles | Accurate comparison of geographic areas |
| Area Accuracy | Poor, especially toward the poles | Preserves relative area |
| Shape | Distorted, particularly at high latitudes | Some shape distortion |
| Navigation | Very useful | Not designed primarily for navigation |
| Comparing Continent Sizes | Can be misleading | Much more suitable |
The Diplomatic Picture
| Country / Group | Position |
|---|---|
| African Group | Led the initiative promoting more area-accurate world maps. |
| Togo | Introduced the initiative on behalf of the African Group. |
| African Union | Supported the campaign and its objectives. |
| India | Supported the resolution while stressing that no single projection needs to become universal. |
| United States | Was the sole country voting against the resolution, according to the reported vote. |
Is Equal Earth a Perfect Map?
No.
Equal Earth solves one major problem: area distortion.
But it cannot eliminate every type of distortion.
Whenever the spherical Earth is represented on a flat surface, something has to give.
Depending on the projection, that may be area, shape, distance, direction or some combination of them.
That is why cartographers use different projections for different purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Mercator projection being challenged?
It is being challenged because it greatly exaggerates the apparent size of regions at higher latitudes, which can create a misleading impression of relative geographic size.
Is Mercator scientifically wrong?
No. Mercator is a mathematically valid map projection designed to preserve angles and directions. Its main limitation is that it does not preserve area.
Is Africa really larger than Greenland?
Yes. Africa covers roughly 30.4 million square kilometres, while Greenland covers roughly 2.2 million square kilometres. Africa is therefore around 14 times larger.
What is Equal Earth?
Equal Earth is an equal-area world map projection introduced in 2018. It was designed to represent the relative size of continents and countries more accurately.
Will the UN ban Mercator maps?
No. The resolution encourages wider consideration and use of equal-area projections. It does not ban the Mercator projection.
Will Google Maps switch to Equal Earth?
There is no reason to assume that all digital maps will switch to Equal Earth. Different mapping applications require different projections depending on their purpose.
Does a new map projection change India's borders?
No. A map projection only changes how geographic information is displayed. It does not change territorial claims, borders or legal status.
Why are African countries pushing for this change?
A major motivation is the way many familiar world maps visually reduce the apparent size of Africa while enlarging regions farther from the Equator. Supporters argue that more accurate area representation can improve geographic education and public understanding.
Final Thoughts
The Mercator projection is not disappearing overnight.
And it was never simply a "wrong" map.
It was created for a specific purpose and has served navigation extremely well for centuries.
The bigger issue is whether one projection should dominate the way people visualize the entire planet.
The push behind the "Correct the Map" campaign and the UN resolution is essentially a call for more accurate geographic representation, particularly when comparing the actual size of continents and countries.
As equal-area projections such as Equal Earth become more familiar, people may increasingly see world maps that look different from the ones they grew up with.
The map may change.
The Earth hasn't.
