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United Nations adopts resolution for more accurate world maps
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution titled ‘Correct the Map’, which encourages the use of equal-area map projections to more accurately represent the size of the world’s continents. The resolution, led by Togo and supported by the African Union, passed with 164 votes in favor, one against, and six abstentions.
The initiative aims to address the historical distortions caused by the 16th-century Mercator projection. While the Mercator map is highly effective for maritime navigation due to its preservation of angles, it significantly exaggerates the size of landmasses near the poles, such as Greenland and Europe, while visually diminishing regions near the equator, particularly Africa and South America.
Supporters advocate for the adoption of the ‘Equal Earth’ projection, which provides a more equitable visual representation of the planet’s landmasses. The resolution does not ban the Mercator projection but suggests that governments, educational institutions, and technology companies adopt more accurate models where relative area is important. The United States was the sole country to vote against the measure.
Entities
African Union · Equal Earth · Equal Earth projection · Gerardus Mercator · Togo · United Nations · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] On a Mercator map, Africa appears roughly half its true size compared to its actual scale. thecooperator.news · correiokianda.info
- [● 2 SOURCES] The resolution encourages the adoption of the Equal Earth projection to correct geographical distortions. www.moneytimes.com.br
- [● 4 SOURCES] The United States was the only country to vote against the resolution. correiokianda.info · ghanaguardian.com · www.moneytimes.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The UN resolution is not legally binding for individual countries or institutions. correiokianda.info
- [● 5 SOURCES] The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to encourage the use of equal-area map projections to better represent the true size of continents. correiokianda.info · thecooperator.news · ghanaguardian.com · www.moneytimes.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Equal Earth projection was developed in 2018. ghanaguardian.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The resolution passed with 164 votes in favor, 1 vote against, and 6 abstentions. correiokianda.info · thecooperator.news · ghanaguardian.com · www.moneytimes.com.br
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Mercator projection, created in 1569, tends to enlarge landmasses near the poles and diminish those near the equator. correiokianda.info · thecooperator.news · www.moneytimes.com.br