UN votes to adopt map reflecting Africa’s true size

The United Nations General Assembly has voted to adopt a new world map correcting the long-criticised Mercator projection, which understates Africa’s actual size, according to a report by Peoples Gazette.

The “Correct the Map” resolution, sponsored by Togo and backed by the African Union, passed on Friday with 164 votes in favour. The United States cast the lone dissenting vote, while Ukraine, Georgia, Estonia, Moldova, Lithuania and Serbia abstained.

The 1569 Mercator map, created by Gerardus Mercator, has faced longstanding criticism for depicting Africa as similar in size to Greenland, despite Africa being roughly 14 times larger.