African Union Advocates for Accurate World Map to Reflect Africa's True Size

What's Happening?

The African Union (AU) has endorsed a campaign to replace the 16th-century Mercator map with a more accurate representation of the world that better reflects Africa's true size. The Mercator projection, originally designed for navigation, distorts the size of continents, making regions near the poles appear larger while shrinking Africa and South America. This has led to a perception of Africa as marginal, despite it being the second-largest continent by area and home to over a billion people. The 'Correct The Map' campaign, led by advocacy groups Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa, is pushing for the adoption of the 2018 Equal Earth projection, which aims to accurately depict the size of countries. The AU's support aligns with its goal of reclaiming Africa's rightful place on the global stage.

Why It's Important?

The campaign to correct the world map has significant implications for education, media, and policy, as the Mercator map has historically influenced perceptions of Africa's size and importance. By advocating for a more accurate map, the AU seeks to challenge stereotypes and misinformation that have persisted for centuries. This move could enhance African identity and pride, particularly among children who encounter these maps in educational settings. The adoption of the Equal Earth projection by global institutions could also influence international relations and economic policies, as it aligns with broader calls for reparations and recognition of Africa's contributions and challenges.

What's Next?

The AU plans to advocate for the wider adoption of the Equal Earth map and discuss collective actions with its member states. The campaign has already reached out to organizations like the World Bank and the United Nations to adopt the new map. The World Bank has begun phasing out the Mercator projection in favor of the Equal Earth map for static maps. The campaign's request to the UN geospatial body is under review and will require approval by a committee of experts. The AU's efforts are also supported by other regions, such as the Caribbean Community, which views the adoption of the Equal Earth map as a rejection of the Mercator map's ideology of power and dominance.