The United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to vote on a resolution that would formally phase out the Mercator map projection in favor of a more geographically accurate alternative. The resolution is being led by Togo, with support from the African Union’s member states. Officials characterize the initiative as a scientific rather than political matter, citing evidence that the traditional Mercator projection misrepresents global geography.
The Mercator projection, created in 1569 by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator to assist maritime navigation, has remained the global standard for nearly five centuries. However, the projection’s mathematical properties cause significant distortions. Regions near the equator appear substantially smaller than their actual size, while high-latitude areas appear disproportionately large. Most notably, Africa is depicted as comparable in size to Greenland, despite being approximately 14 times larger.
Historians and geographers have long criticized the Mercator projection for perpetuating Western biases and have increasingly used terms such as “cartographic colonialism” to describe its effects. Critics argue that the map has subtly influenced international power dynamics by visually diminishing the global south while inflating northern hemisphere nations. Some analysts suggest this distortion has reinforced systemic inequalities in international trade, development priorities, and educational frameworks. The alternative being promoted, the 2018 Equal Earth projection, was developed by an international team of cartographers and offers more proportionally accurate representations.
Togo’s campaign is part of a broader African initiative to reshape global perceptions of the continent. Officials view the resolution as connected to efforts by African nations to secure greater influence in international institutions and control over continental representation. The campaign has garnered significant support, including an online petition with over 11,000 signatures. If passed, the non-enforceable resolution could prompt updates to educational curricula and digital mapping technologies that widely use the Mercator projection.
Togolese authorities are drawing encouragement from a related African Union-backed resolution that passed earlier in the year regarding slavery. Officials are planning implementation events in collaboration with UNESCO, the African Union, and technology companies to facilitate the transition if the vote succeeds.
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