What Is Equal Earth Map Projection? Why UN Voted to Replace Mercator
Equal Earth Map Projection: The United Nations General Assembly has endorsed the wider use of an equal-area world map that represents the relative sizes of continents more accurately than the traditional Mercator projection.
The resolution, led by Togo with support from the African Union, received 164 votes in favor. The United States voted against it, while six countries abstained.
The resolution does not prohibit the Mercator projection or mandate one specific replacement. It encourages the United Nations, educational institutions, media organizations and digital platforms to use equal-area maps. Equal Earth is one prominent projection capable of meeting that objective.
UN World Map Vote: Highlights
What Is a Map Projection?
Earth is approximately spherical, while printed and digital maps are flat. A map projection is a mathematical method used to transfer locations from the curved surface of Earth onto a two-dimensional map.
No flat world map can perfectly preserve all of the following:
- Area
- Shape
- Distance
- Direction
- Scale
Every projection therefore makes compromises depending on its intended purpose.
What Is the Equal Earth Projection?
Equal Earth is an equal-area world map projection introduced in 2018. It was developed by cartographers Tom Patterson, Bojan Šavrič and Bernhard Jenny.
Its most important feature is that countries and continents are shown in correct proportional area. A region representing 10% of Earth's surface therefore occupies approximately 10% of the map.
The projection also uses curved edges and a visually balanced shape intended to make it suitable for educational and general-purpose maps.
Why Is the Mercator Map Distorted?
Gerardus Mercator created his projection in 1569 for navigation. It preserves compass directions and remains useful for some nautical and local mapping purposes.
However, its distortion increases toward the poles. This causes northern regions such as Greenland, Canada, northern Europe and Russia to appear disproportionately large.
A widely cited comparison is:
- Africa is approximately 14 times larger than Greenland.
- On many Mercator maps, Greenland appears almost comparable in size to Africa.
Why Africa Supported the Change
African governments and advocacy groups argue that distorted world maps have historically made Africa appear smaller and less significant than it is.
Africa covers about 30.3 million square kilometers and can contain the United States, China, India and much of Europe within its area. Equal-area mapping makes this scale easier to understand.
Did the UN Ban Mercator Maps?
No. The resolution is non-binding and does not ban the Mercator projection.
Mercator can still be used when its direction-preserving characteristics are relevant. The UN decision encourages equal-area projections for world maps where comparing the size of countries and continents is important.
India’s Position
India supported the equal-area mapping objective but maintained that any UN-backed map must show India's territory accurately, including Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, according to India's official position.
A map projection controls geometry. Political boundaries and territorial labels are separate questions that must still be handled accurately.
Where Equal Earth Maps May Be Used
- School textbooks
- Classroom wall maps
- News graphics
- International organizations
- Government publications
- Digital mapping platforms
- Climate and population visualizations
FAQs
What is the Equal Earth projection?
It is an equal-area world map that displays continents and countries in proportion to their actual surface areas.
Why is Mercator inaccurate for comparing size?
It enlarges regions closer to the poles and makes equatorial regions appear relatively smaller.
Did the UN officially ban Mercator?
No. The resolution encourages equal-area maps but does not prohibit Mercator.
How many countries supported the resolution?
A total of 164 member states voted in favor.
Conclusion
The UN vote represents a push for world maps that communicate geographic scale more accurately. Equal Earth reduces area distortion and gives Africa and other equatorial regions a more proportionate visual representation.
