Togo Plans to Propose UN Adoption of Map Reflecting Africa's Accurate Size

Togo's foreign minister announced that the country intends to ask United Nations member states to adopt a new world map. The proposed map would more accurately depict Africa's size compared to current representations. This move targets the 16th-century Mercator projection, which distorts the relative sizes of landmasses, particularly making Africa appear smaller than it is.

It preserves angles for accurate sailing routes but results in significant size distortions at higher latitudes. For instance, Greenland appears comparable in size to Africa on Mercator maps, despite Africa being about 14 times larger.

Africa covers approximately 30 million square kilometers, making it the second-largest continent after Asia. Accurate size representation is important for geographic education, resource allocation, and global perceptions of the continent's scale. Togo's proposal highlights ongoing discussions about map projections and their influence on international understanding.

Background on Map Projections Map projections are mathematical methods to represent the three-dimensional Earth on a two-dimensional surface.

No projection can perfectly preserve all properties such as shape, area, distance, and direction simultaneously.

Togo's initiative draws attention to these alternatives, emphasizing the need for maps that do not diminish the visual scale of equatorial regions like Africa.

Implications for Global Mapping Standards If adopted by the United Nations, the new map could influence educational materials, international reports, and digital platforms worldwide.

United Nations member states would need to review and potentially update their mapping standards. The proposal comes amid broader efforts to decolonize geographic representations and promote equity in visual data. Togo's foreign minister did not specify a timeline for the formal submission to the United Nations.

The initiative has garnered interest from African nations and cartography experts who advocate for revised projections. Discussions at the United Nations could involve technical committees on geography and sustainable development. This proposal underscores the role of cartography in shaping global perceptions.

Accurate maps can support better-informed policies on trade, climate, and migration affecting Africa. As the proposal advances, it may encourage similar reviews of other historical mapping conventions.