UN backs map showing Africa's true size, nearly 14 times larger than Greenland
Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
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- The United Nations voted to support replacing the 16th-century Mercator projection with a map that more accurately represents countries' relative size.
- Togo sponsored the resolution as part of an African Union campaign challenging perceptions of Africa as geographically marginal.
- The Mercator projection makes Greenland appear about the same size as Africa, although Africa is nearly 14 times larger.
The United Nations has backed a shift away from the centuries-old Mercator map, supporting a projection that shows Africa at its true scale. The resolution says Africa is nearly 14 times larger than Greenland and about three times larger than Canada or the United States.
Togo sponsored the initiative, linking it to an African Union campaign to reduce reliance on the Mercator projection. The campaign challenges a map that can make Africa appear smaller and more peripheral than it is.
The Mercator map, created in the 16th century, expands land masses closer to the poles. As a result, Greenland appears roughly the same size as Africa, despite the vast difference between their actual areas.
About this summary
Originally published by Daily Graphic in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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