UN votes to adopt new world map that shows Africa’s true scale
Togo-sponsored resolution called to phase out traditional map that depicts continent as similar size to Greenland
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Read the original articletheguardian.com · theguardian.comOur verdict
Political lean
0 = center. The further from 0, the stronger the lean (max 10).
Reporting balance
How complete and even-handed the reporting is — separate from which side it leans.
The article reports on a UN resolution to change the standard world map projection, framing the issue through a lens of post-colonial social justice. While the facts of the vote are reported, the article consistently adopts the rhetoric of the resolution's proponents, labeling the Mercator map with terms like 'cartographic colonialism' and omitting balanced, technical perspectives on why the current map remains widely used.
Key Findings
- 1The article frames the technical cartographic debate as a matter of colonial legacy, using terms like 'cartographic colonialism' to describe the status quo.
- 2The article presents the US opposition as dismissive, quoting a representative calling the resolution 'superfluous'.
- 3The narrative focuses on the psychological and geopolitical 'narrative' change rather than the navigational utility of map projections.
Dimension Breakdown
Includes quotes from the Togolese foreign minister and French officials, but relies heavily on the specific advocacy group behind the resolution.
Uses loaded, ideological language such as 'cartographic colonialism' and emphasizes 'social justice' framing over technical cartographic debate.
Focuses heavily on the arguments for the resolution; the dissenting position is minimized as 'superfluous'.
While it mentions the US 'no' vote, the article characterizes it negatively and fails to explain the technical utility of the Mercator projection in modern navigation.
The headline accurately reflects the subject matter, though 'true scale' is a loaded term in cartography.
Provides historical background on Mercator but lacks a neutral technical discussion on why Mercator remains standard despite its distortion.
Missing Perspectives
- A detailed explanation of why the Mercator projection is still the global standard for maritime navigation and digital web maps.
- Expert testimony from cartographers who might argue that 'accuracy' is relative to the purpose of the map rather than an objective truth.
- Further context on the potential costs or logistical difficulties associated with a global transition to a new mapping standard.
Highlighted Passages
“Historians and geographers have said for years that the Mercator projection is rooted in western stereotypes. Activists have echoed this, with some coining the term “cartographic colonialism”.”
“Only the US voted no, with its representative saying the resolution was “superfluous”.”
Key Facts
- The UN General Assembly voted to pass a resolution to phase out the Mercator projection map in favor of the Equal Earth design.
- 164 countries voted in favor of the resolution.
- The United States was the only country to vote against the resolution.
- Six countries abstained from the vote.
- The Mercator projection, introduced in 1569, is noted for distorting the relative size of landmasses, particularly at high latitudes.
- Togo sponsored the resolution on behalf of the African Union.
- The resolution is non-binding and unenforceable.