1 year ago
African Union Wants to Ditch the Popular Mercator Map
Imagine a map that makes Africa look much smaller than it really is.
That's the Mercator map, and the African Union wants to change it!
They're promoting a new map called Equal Earth that shows Africa's true size.
The old map makes Africa seem less important, which isn't fair.
This new map helps people see Africa correctly, boosting pride and showing its real size to the world.
It's like giving Africa its rightful place on the map and in the world!
The African Union (AU) wants to replace the Mercator map projection due to its distortion of Africa's size.
The AU has endorsed the 'Correct the Map' campaign, promoting the Equal Earth projection instead.
The Mercator map minimizes Africa, making it appear smaller than other regions, influencing global perceptions.
Critics argue the Mercator projection fosters stereotypes and undervalues Africa's significance.
The Equal Earth projection accurately portrays Africa's size and aims to reshape global views on the continent.
- Who
- The African Union, along with advocacy groups like Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa, are driving the initiative.
- What
- The African Union is advocating to replace the Mercator map projection with the Equal Earth projection.
- Where
- The focus is on global adoption of the Equal Earth projection.
- When
- The campaign has been ongoing, with the Equal Earth projection introduced in 2018, and the AU endorsing the campaign.
- Why
- To correct the misrepresentation of Africa's size and challenge stereotypes associated with the Mercator projection.
Supporters of Equal Earth
Those Unconvinced
Projection Accuracy
Supporters of Equal Earth
The Mercator projection distorts Africa’s size, creating a misrepresentation.
Those Unconvinced
The Mercator projection was useful for navigation and has been widely adopted over time.
Impact on Perception
Supporters of Equal Earth
Adopting Equal Earth promotes dignity and pride, reshaping how Africa is viewed.
Those Unconvinced
The visual changes may not impact global perceptions without a broader set of actions.
Key facts
- Projection in Question
- Mercator
- Alternative Projection
- Equal Earth
- AU's Role
- Endorsed 'Correct the Map' campaign
- Mercator Criticism
- Minimizes Africa's size
- Campaign Goal
- To correct global misperceptions
- AU's aim
- Reclaiming Africa's rightful place
Quotes
Fara Ndiaye
co-founder and deputy executive director of Speak Up Africa
“We’re actively working on promoting a curriculum where the Equal Earth projection will be the main standard across all (African) classrooms.”
firstpost.com
“So by correcting the map, we also correct the global narrative about Africa.”
firstpost.com
Selma Malika Haddadi
deputy chairperson of the AU Commission
“It might seem to be just a map, but in reality, it is not.”
firstpost.com
“marginal,”
firstpost.com
Moky Makura
executive director of Africa No Filter
“the world’s longest misinformation and disinformation campaign,”
firstpost.com
“it just simply has to stop.”
firstpost.com
Rabah Arezki
a former World Bank economist
“The standard projection was a political tool that contributed to the scramble for Africa, also known as the partition of Africa when Western European powers colonised the continent.”
firstpost.com
“Just as making Africa look small and conquerable then, the Mercator projection makes the continent look small and irrelevant now.”
firstpost.com
Dorbrene O’Marde
Vice Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission
“ideology of power and dominance.”
firstpost.com
Haddadi
deputy chairperson of the AU Commission
“reclaiming Africa’s rightful place on the global stage.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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