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UN Map Reform Challenges Colonial Distortions and Border Claims
Maps do more than show where countries are located.
The way a map is drawn can make some countries look much bigger than they really are.
The Mercator Projection makes places near the poles look larger and places near the equator look smaller.
Togo and the African Union supported a United Nations effort to use fairer maps.
The Equal Earth Projection shows country sizes more evenly, although it is not perfect.
India said maps must also show its official position on disputed regions.
Ukraine raised similar concerns about territories occupied by Russia.
The United Nations should explain disputed borders clearly without treating any claim as legally settled.
The United Nations adopted the “Correct the Map” resolution by 164 votes to one, with the United States opposing it.
Togo, backed by the African Union, led efforts to replace routine reliance on the Mercator Projection.
The Mercator Projection enlarges areas near the poles and makes Europe and North America appear disproportionately large.
The Equal Earth Projection offers a fairer representation of countries’ relative size, though it is not completely accurate.
India and Ukraine warned that maps must not misrepresent contested borders or legitimize territorial claims.
- Who
- The United Nations, led by Togo with support from the African Union; 164 countries voted for the resolution and the United States of America voted against it.
- What
- The United Nations adopted a non-binding “Correct the Map” resolution supporting fairer map projections and cautioning against politically misleading territorial depictions.
- Where
- At the United Nations, with implications for global maps and representations of disputed territories.
- When
- Why
- To address distortions associated with the Mercator Projection and prevent maps from reinforcing colonial hierarchies or legitimizing contested territorial claims.
Key facts
- Resolution
- “Correct the Map”
- Vote
- 164 countries supported the resolution; the United States of America voted against it.
- Campaign leader
- Togo, with support from the African Union
- Projection criticized
- The Mercator Projection, developed in 1569
- Alternative projection
- The Equal Earth Projection
- Legal status
- The resolution is non-binding on sovereignty and international law
- Territorial concerns
- India and Ukraine objected to depictions they said misrepresented contested territories
Sources
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