United Nations Endorsed Equal Earth Map Projection
The international body passed a non-binding resolution promoting more accurate world map visualizations.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Geography
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The United Nations recently passed a resolution with 164 votes in favor of adopting the Equal Earth map projection. This move aims to replace the long-standing Mercator projection, which critics argue visually distorts the size of continents and promotes Eurocentric bias.
Why it matters
The resolution addresses the persistent issue of geographic misrepresentation where maps have historically inflated the size of regions in the Global North. By supporting an projection that accurately displays land area, the UN seeks to foster a more equitable visual understanding of global geography.
The Equal Earth map projection, developed in 2018, uses a specific mathematical formula to ensure continents reflect their true sizes. In contrast, the Mercator projection, created in 1569, significantly inflates areas near the poles.
The players
United Nations
This international organization facilitates cooperation on global issues and recently served as the site for the resolution vote.
Gerardus Mercator
He was a 16th-century cartographer who created the eponymous projection originally designed to aid maritime navigation.
The details
The campaign for the resolution was led by a group of African countries seeking to correct centuries of cartographic distortion that has marginalized the scale of the continent. Africa accounts for approximately 20 percent of Earth's total land area, yet traditionally appears much smaller on standard maritime maps like those used by Google Maps.
Timeline
1541: Mercator created an original terrestrial globe.
1551: Mercator created an original celestial globe.
1569: Gerardus Mercator created the Mercator Projection.
2018: Cartographers developed the Equal Earth map projection.
2100: Africa is projected to house the world's only growing population.
The Big Picture
This resolution marks a fundamental shift away from the legacy of the Mercator Projection, which has dominated global map usage since 1569. By endorsing a more accurate model, the UN is challenging the historical paradigm of geographic representation.
The adoption of this map projection could influence how educational institutions and digital platforms visualize global data. Over time, this may lead to more accurate portrayals of continent sizes in textbooks and online mapping tools used by the public.
The takeaway
The move underscores the importance of visual accuracy in how we conceptualize the physical world. Readers can verify the size of their own regions by comparing them on interactive maps that allow for projection toggling.
Further reading
For more information on the history of cartography and modern map standards, visit World Geography.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Harvard Gazette.
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