Official New World Map by United Nations: The Equal Earth Projection That Changed How We See the Planet
On September 4, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly voted to adopt a new official world map — the Equal Earth projection — replacing the Mercator projection that had dominated global cartography for over 450 years. The vote was 164 in favor, 6 abstentions, and 1 against: the United States. The decision marks one of the most significant shifts in how humanity visually represents itself, with profound implications for education, geopolitics, and public perception of the Global South[reference:0].
This article explains what the UN's new world map is, why the Equal Earth projection was chosen, how it differs from the Mercator map, and what the change means for the future of cartography and global equity.
What Is the UN's New Official World Map?
The UN's new official world map uses the Equal Earth projection, a pseudocylindrical equal-area map projection developed in 2018 by cartographers Bojan Šavrič, Tom Patterson, and Bernhard Jenny[reference:1]. Unlike the Mercator projection — which preserves angles and shapes for navigation but grossly inflates the size of landmasses near the poles — the Equal Earth projection preserves the relative surface areas of continents and countries[reference:2].
Key Facts About the UN's New World Map
- Projection: Equal Earth (equal-area pseudocylindrical)
- Developed: 2018 by Šavrič, Patterson, and Jenny
- UN Resolution Adopted: September 4, 2026
- Vote: 164 in favor, 6 abstentions, 1 against (United States)
- Sponsor: Togo, on behalf of the African Group (54 nations)
- Co-sponsors: France and the Bahamas, among others
- Replaces: Mercator projection (1569, Gerardus Mercator)
The resolution urges all UN member states to use the Equal Earth map in place of the traditional Mercator projection, and calls on technology platforms — including Google Maps and other digital mapping services — to collaborate on adopting more accurate representations[reference:3].
Why Did the UN Replace the Mercator Projection?
The Mercator projection was designed in 1569 by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator for maritime navigation. Its strength is that it shows lines of constant compass bearing as straight lines, making it invaluable for sailors[reference:4]. However, this navigational utility comes at a steep cost: the projection increasingly stretches landmasses the farther they are from the equator[reference:5].
The Problem of Distortion
On the Mercator map, Greenland appears roughly the same size as Africa, when in reality Africa is approximately 14 times larger than Greenland. Greenland is actually closer in size to the Democratic Republic of the Congo[reference:6]. Similarly, Canada and Russia appear vastly larger than they are, while Africa, South America, and South Asia are compressed and visually diminished[reference:7].
This distortion is not merely a technical curiosity. As Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey argued before the UN vote:
"Maps guide education, nourish the imagination, and influence collective perceptions. They are therefore never neutral; when they present a distorted image of our planet, they risk perpetuating inaccurate representation that is passed down through generations."[reference:8]
Research supports this concern. A 2009 study cited by cartographer Bernhard Jenny showed that map readers do not tend to compensate for distortions even when they are aware they exist[reference:9]. Geographers like Derek Alderman of the University of Tennessee argue that "maps don't simply identify the location of places. They also exist as social texts which influence how we imagine the importance, centrality or peripheral position of places"[reference:10].
What Is the Equal Earth Projection?
The Equal Earth projection is an equal-area map projection, meaning it preserves the proportional sizes of landmasses relative to one another. It achieves this by curving the meridians (lines of longitude) rather than keeping them straight as the Mercator projection does[reference:11].
How It Differs from Mercator
| Feature | Mercator Projection | Equal Earth Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Navigation | Accurate area representation |
| Shape Preservation | Yes (locally conformal) | Compromised |
| Area Preservation | No (massive distortion) | Yes (equal-area) |
| Africa's Apparent Size | Artificially small | Accurate |
| Greenland vs. Africa | Looks comparable | Africa is ~14× larger |
| Best Use Case | Marine navigation | Education, media, general reference |
According to co-creator Bojan Šavrič, "Equal Earth preserves the relative surface areas of continents and, as much as possible, shows their shapes as they appear on a globe"[reference:12]. On the Equal Earth map, Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and Oceania — including Australia — appear significantly larger, while North America and Europe are scaled closer to reality[reference:13]. The map also places Africa slightly more centrally, subtly shifting the visual center of gravity away from the North Atlantic[reference:14].
The UN Vote: A Historic Moment in Cartographic Justice
The resolution was introduced by Togo on behalf of the 54 African nations, with support from France and the Bahamas. It pledged to correct an "imbalance inherited from the past" — a reference to the colonial-era legacy of the Mercator projection, which was popularized during European maritime expansion and became the default map in classrooms and governments worldwide[reference:15][reference:16].
How Nations Voted
- 164 in favor: Including Australia, France, and the vast majority of UN member states
- 6 abstentions: Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine (Ukraine abstained because the Equal Earth map shows Crimea as contested territory)[reference:17]
- 1 against: The United States
The US representative, Yaryna Ferencevych, criticized the resolution as a distraction, saying it was "the reason this institution is losing its credibility" and that the UN should focus on "genuine problems" rather than "map projects from the 16th century and their role in promoting reparations and cognitive justice"[reference:18].
France, which co-sponsored the resolution, announced it would abandon the Mercator projection. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated:
"Changing maps obviously doesn't change the world. But correcting a distorted representation is already an act of truth."[reference:19]
What Changes on the New UN World Map?
The Equal Earth projection does not redraw national borders or coastlines. It does not alter any country's territory or political boundaries. What it changes is relative visual prominence[reference:20].
Regions That Appear Larger
- Africa: Now appears as the massive continent it truly is — approximately 30.3 million km²
- South America: Brazil, Argentina, and the Amazon basin are shown at their true scale
- South Asia: India and neighboring countries are no longer visually compressed
- Oceania: Australia and the Pacific islands gain proportional representation
Regions That Appear Smaller
- North America: The United States and Canada shrink relative to the equator
- Europe: The continent's visual prominence is reduced
- Russia: Still the world's largest country, but no longer wildly exaggerated
- Greenland: Shown at its actual size — roughly that of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Africa–Greenland Reality Check
On the Mercator map, Greenland appears almost as large as Africa. In reality:
- Africa: ~30.3 million km²
- Greenland: ~2.2 million km²
- Ratio: Africa is approximately 14 times larger than Greenland
The Equal Earth projection corrects this centuries-old visual distortion.
Implications for Digital Mapping Platforms
Most web-based map services — including Google Maps, MapQuest, and OpenStreetMap — have historically used the Web Mercator projection, a variant of the Mercator projection optimized for digital tile-based mapping[reference:21]. The UN resolution explicitly calls on technology platforms to collaborate on adopting more accurate representations[reference:22].
This presents a significant technical challenge. Web Mercator is deeply embedded in the infrastructure of digital mapping, from GPS navigation to location-based services. Switching to Equal Earth would require re-engineering tile servers, re-projecting satellite imagery, and updating APIs. However, pressure is mounting. New Zealand has long criticized its depiction on Mercator maps, and France's decision to abandon the projection adds momentum to the shift[reference:23].
Why This Matters Beyond Cartography
The UN's adoption of the Equal Earth projection is not just a technical cartographic decision. It is a statement about representation, dignity, and cognitive justice.
Education
Generations of students have grown up with a world map that visually diminished Africa, South America, and South Asia while exaggerating Europe and North America. Correcting this distortion in classrooms could reshape how future generations perceive global geography and the relative importance of regions[reference:24].
Geopolitics
The visual prominence of nations on maps can subtly influence perceptions of power and centrality. As Foreign Minister Dussey of Togo argued, distorted maps can perpetuate "inaccurate representation that is passed down through generations"[reference:25]. The Equal Earth map offers a more balanced visual foundation for international discourse.
Environmental Science
Accurate area representation is also critical for environmental and climate science. Understanding the true scale of the Amazon rainforest, the Sahara Desert, or the Arctic ice sheet depends on maps that do not distort relative sizes[reference:26].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It is called the Equal Earth projection. It was developed in 2018 by cartographers Bojan Šavrič, Tom Patterson, and Bernhard Jenny.
The UN General Assembly voted to adopt the Equal Earth projection on September 4, 2026, with 164 votes in favor, 6 abstentions, and 1 against (the United States).
The Mercator projection, created in 1569 for navigation, severely distorts the relative sizes of landmasses — making Africa appear much smaller than it is and Europe and North America appear larger. The UN resolution aims to correct this "imbalance inherited from the past."
Africa is approximately 14 times larger than Greenland. On the Mercator map, they appear roughly the same size.
The UN resolution calls on technology platforms to collaborate on using more accurate maps. However, switching from Web Mercator is technically complex, and no major platform has announced a change yet.
No. The Equal Earth projection does not alter national borders or coastlines. It only changes the relative visual size of landmasses to more accurately reflect their true areas.
Conclusion: A Map That Reflects Reality
The United Nations' adoption of the Equal Earth projection as the official new world map is a landmark moment in the history of cartography. It acknowledges that maps are never neutral — they shape how we see the world, how we teach geography, and how we perceive the importance of nations and regions.
The Mercator projection will remain useful for navigation and certain scientific applications. But for general reference, education, and media, the Equal Earth projection offers a more accurate, more equitable view of our planet. As the resolution states, it improves "the accuracy of the cartographic representation of the world"[reference:27].
In an era of global challenges that demand accurate understanding of our shared planet, seeing the world as it truly is has never mattered more.
Explore the Equal Earth projection and compare it with the Mercator map.
Share this article to help spread awareness about cartographic accuracy and global representation.
Sources & Further Reading
- United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/80/L.104 — "Correcting the Map"
- AFP — "Africa bigger, US smaller — UN adopts new map" (September 5, 2026)
- ABC News — "Africa and Australia bigger, US smaller as UN votes to adopt a new world map" (September 5, 2026)
- ABC News — "New world map adopted by UN could reshape global perceptions of power" (September 8, 2026)
- Nature — "Hello Equal Earth: what the UN's new world map will change" (September 11, 2026)
- Gazeta Express — "The UN approved the new world map" (September 7, 2026)
0 टिप्पणियाँ