The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly backed an African-led resolution calling for the promotion of world maps that accurately represent the relative size of continents. On September 4, the resolution passed with 164 votes in favor and only six abstentions. The United States was the sole country to oppose the measure, describing it as a "radical ideological project."
The non-binding resolution encourages governments, schools, and technology companies to adopt the Equal Earth projection—developed in 2018 to provide an equal-area representation of landmasses—or other similar projections when relative size is a priority. It also emphasizes the importance of educating the public on the inherent trade-offs involved in projecting a spherical planet onto a flat surface.
The persistence of the Mercator projection
Despite the UN's push, it is unlikely that mainstream navigation tools will abandon the Mercator projection. Originally created by Gerardus Mercator in 1569, this projection was designed for maritime navigation because it represents rhumb lines as straight paths, making it an essential tool for sailors following a compass bearing.
This practical utility is why the Mercator projection remains the foundation for digital mapping giants. Google Maps, which serves over 2 billion monthly users, and Apple Maps continue to use variations of this system. While these apps have evolved into complex AI agents capable of managing logistics and real-time transport, their core cartographic engine remains rooted in 16th-century logic.
Distortion and geopolitical impact
The primary drawback of the Mercator projection is its severe area distortion: landmasses further from the equator appear artificially enlarged. This leads to significant visual inaccuracies, such as Greenland appearing roughly the same size as Africa, despite the latter being 14 times larger.
Research suggests these distortions are not merely academic. A study in Communication Reports indicated that the visual bias of Mercator maps could influence public perception and national security arguments, specifically regarding proposals to purchase Greenland. Other research published in the ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information found that users familiar with the Robinson projection—a compromise between shape and area—estimated continent sizes more accurately than those accustomed to Mercator.
Alternatives and 3D mapping
While the Equal Earth projection corrects size, it does so by distorting shapes, particularly near the poles. This is a stark contrast to the Gall-Peters projection, which was at the center of controversy in Boston Public Schools in 2017 for its extreme shape distortion.
The most accurate way to perceive the Earth's true dimensions remains 3D representation. While digital tools like Google Earth provide a spherical view with satellite imagery, the industry is also exploring more advanced spatial visualizations. Recent developments include Orbify's curved 3D maps which attempt to bridge the gap between street-level and aerial perspectives, as well as NASA's 3D gravity model which reveals the planet's actual irregular shape.
France has already announced it will abandon the Mercator projection in line with the resolution, and India has voiced support for equal-area maps while reaffirming its own sovereign boundaries.
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