The United Nations has endorsed the Equal Earth Projection, a map that better represents the true size of the Earth’s landmasses. In contrast, the widely used Mercator Projection distorts areas, particularly making Africa appear much smaller than it is, with countries near the poles exaggerated by up to 14 times their actual size. The Equal Earth Projection alleviates these distortions, providing a more accurate perspective.
We spoke to cartographers Jack Swab and Derek Alderman to gain insight into this development.
Map projections are techniques used by cartographers to depict our three-dimensional planet on flat surfaces. This flattening process inherently distorts shapes and sizes, and while no projection is entirely accurate, some serve specific purposes better than others.
The Equal Earth projection is particularly suitable for educational and policy-related global maps, offering a fairer representation of countries’ relative sizes and enabling better comparisons in terms of population, environment, and development.
Despite its shortcomings in navigation, as the Mercator Projection maintains accurate compass bearings, it will not be phased out entirely. Most online mapping services, like Google Maps and Apple Maps, still rely on Mercator’s variations.
The UN’s endorsement signals a shift towards using the Equal Earth Projection as a more equitable representation of land size, though it won’t automatically become the global standard. Adoption will require revisions in textbooks, media, and diplomatic discussions.
While few nations opposed the resolution, Ukraine raised concerns about how the Equal Earth Projection presents the Crimean Peninsula. Russia’s reaction and other nations’ comments can be seen as geopolitical manoeuvring rather than directly related to the map.
The US cast the only dissenting vote, alleging that the Equal Earth Projection is ideologically driven. This stance has been viewed as hypocritical, as it fails to recognise the implications of cartography while the US administration engages in its own selective geographic renaming.
African nations argue that the Equal Earth Projection promotes “cognitive justice,” challenging the traditional assumptions that smaller map sizes correlate with lesser importance. By changing how Africa is visualised, it helps shift perceptions of the continent, which is now home to rapidly growing economies and populations. While maps alone can’t change attitudes, they are a crucial part of acknowledging Africa’s role on the global stage, fostering a more inclusive view in international relations.
