Post by : Shakul

Togo is preparing to call on member states of the United Nations to adopt a new world map that more accurately reflects the true size of Africa. The initiative aims to replace the centuries-old Mercator projection, which has long been criticized for distorting the relative size of continents and shaping misleading global perceptions.

The move is being led by Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, who has stressed the importance of correcting long-standing geographical inaccuracies. He noted that the current depiction of Africa on widely used maps significantly underrepresents its actual size, contributing to skewed narratives in education, media, and policy discussions.

Originally developed in the 16th century for navigation, the Mercator projection enlarges areas closer to the poles, such as Greenland and North America, while shrinking regions near the equator like Africa and South America. In reality, Africa is approximately 14 times larger than Greenland, despite the two often appearing nearly equal in size on traditional maps.

This push is part of a broader campaign supported by the African Union, which has tasked Togo with advancing the “Correct The Map” initiative. Advocacy groups are promoting the adoption of the Equal Earth projection, introduced in 2018, which aims to present a more balanced and scientifically accurate view of global landmasses.

Officials have confirmed that a draft resolution is currently being prepared and may be presented at the next session of the United Nations General Assembly. The outcome of the vote is expected to highlight how different countries respond to calls for a more accurate representation of the world.

Supporters of the initiative argue that this effort goes beyond cartography, emphasizing that accurate mapping is essential for reshaping global understanding and ensuring that Africa’s true scale, significance, and influence are properly recognized across international platforms.

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