Campaigners Advocate for Accurate World Map to Reflect Africa's True Size

What's Happening?

African advocacy groups are campaigning for the adoption of the Equal Earth projection, which accurately displays the size of Africa compared to the distorted Mercator projection. The Mercator map, created in the 16th century, enlarges regions near the poles while shrinking Africa and South America. The campaign, endorsed by the African Union, aims to replace the Mercator projection in schools and organizations with the Equal Earth map, which follows the Earth's curvature and shows continents in their true proportions. This effort seeks to correct misconceptions about Africa's demographic, economic, and strategic significance.

Why It's Important?

The campaign to adopt the Equal Earth projection addresses long-standing inaccuracies in world maps that minimize Africa's size and significance. By promoting a more accurate representation, the initiative aims to reshape perceptions of Africa's role in the world, highlighting its demographic and economic importance. The endorsement by the African Union marks a significant milestone, potentially influencing educational and organizational practices globally. Correcting map distortions is crucial for fostering a more accurate understanding of global geography and Africa's contributions.