UN General Assembly Endorses New Map That Accurately Reflects Africa's Size

The United Nations General Assembly has endorsed a new world map that represents Africa more accurately due to its larger size. The resolution, sponsored by Togo and supported by members of the African Union, was passed with 164 member states voting in favor. Only the U.S. voted against it, while six other countries abstained. The vote does not ban the Mercator projection or impose a replacement, but only encourages the use of the Equal Earth projection. The current Mercator map was designed by Gerardus Mercator in the 16th Century, but advocates argue it distorted landmasses by enlarging regions near the poles while shrinking Africa and South America. The new Equal Earth map follows the Earth's curvature and shows continents in their true proportions.
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