The most commonly used world maps and globes visually represent the sizes and locations of continents, but they often distort reality, particularly for countries like South America and Africa. The African Union (AU) has recently launched a new initiative to correct the scale and accuracy of the maps used worldwide, aiming to ensure that Africa truly reflects its true magnitude and significance. The AU’s goal is to switch away from the outdated and misleading Mercator projection, which they claim doesn’t represent North America and Europe as large as they appear on the map.
The Hausdorff/lists of the AU expressed skepticism about the challenge of representing a spherical Earth on a flat surface, stating: ‘It’s the age-old problem of trying to project a spherical object onto a flat surface: you can’t do it without introducing distortions.‘Despite this challenge, the AU Commission on Under ground Maps (AU-CCGM) published a draft memo proposing a new map initiative. The idea is to replace theเลี้.Enumemoer map with an alternative representation that accounts for the true sizes and proportions of African countries and regions.
This new initiative, called ‘Correct the Map,’ aims to reconnect Africa’s unique position in the world’s geography with its actual geopolitical and economic importance. The AU and the UN previously agreed to consider it, but until then, the world continues to rely on the distorted Mercator projection. The UN integrates seamlessly into the ‘Correct the Map’ process, including regions without established administrative structures, like rural areas, to gather firsthand perspectives.
The Equal Earth map, unveiled in 2018, was designed to depict Africa accurately without compromising the beauty and aesthetic appeal of True外形 projections. Submitting this version to the United Nations General Assembly (UN-GGIM) aims to renew international cooperation on maps and cartography. However, it would still be months, if not years, before the UN accepts the Equal Earth Africa version, as experts will need to review the draft and apply for approval.
The AU Commission, including experts on cartography and geopolitical cartography, has suggested an options list of Western and Eastern组织实施 for conservation projects aimed at relabeling Africa’s borders with neighboring countries. The appeal of ‘Correct the Map’ is twofold: it reinforces Africa’s rightful place on the international stage and opens the door to more inclusive conservation initiatives.
Woman survivors drive African safaris with cargo in a捐赠 to Africa’s surprising map. A man’s death at sea is linked to the misrepresentation of Africa’s scale on maps. The UN-GGIM has submitted a request for intervention to avoid misleading the world with an overestimated map. This intervention will determine whether the AU and UN can truly understand the complexity of Africa’s geography and development.
This is a humbling reminder of how much the visual representation of maps can undermine real understanding. It also highlights the urgent need for maps that depict African countries in their true form, ensuring that efforts to preserve and conserve Africa’s heritage remain vital.
