United Nations approves resolution to phase out Mercator map projection

The United Nations General Assembly has approved a resolution to phase out the traditional Mercator projection in favor of the Equal Earth map design. The motion, originally presented by Togo, aims to provide a more accurate representation of the Earth's surface by correcting the size distortions inherent in the 16th-century Mercator projection.

The Mercator projection is known to exaggerate the size of landmasses near the poles, such as Greenland and Europe, while significantly underrepresenting regions near the equator, including Africa, South America, and parts of Asia. For example, while Greenland appears similar in size to Africa on a Mercator map, Africa is actually 14 times larger.

Of the member states, 164 voted in favor of the resolution, while the United States was the sole dissenting vote, labeling the move as “superfluous”. Although UN resolutions are non-enforceable, the shift is expected to influence educational curricula and digital mapping technologies to promote a more equitable view of the Global South.