Africa Now Bigger In World Map. 164 Countries Backed Resolution, US Opposed - NDTV

**Africa’s True Size to Be Reflected on New UN‑Endorsed World Map** The United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution on Tuesday to encourage the use of cartographic standards that more accurately portray the continent’s landmass. The motion, formally titled “Resolution on the Adoption of a Revised World Map,” was backed by a record 164 member states, while the United States cast the lone dissenting vote among the 193‑nation body. India joined the overwhelming majority in supporting the proposal, signaling broad multilateral consensus that the long‑standing distortions of traditional projections merit correction.

The resolution stems from longstanding criticism of the Mercator projection, a centuries‑old mapping method that inflates the size of high‑latitude regions and compresses equatorial landmasses. Under Mercator, Africa—home to 20% of the world’s population and rich in natural resources—appears roughly one‑third of its actual size, a visual misrepresentation that scholars and activists argue perpetuates geopolitical bias. The UN’s “New World Map” initiative calls on member states, publishers, and educational institutions to adopt alternative projections, such as the Gall‑Peters or equal‑area maps, that preserve relative land area and thus present a more equitable view of global geography.

The United States, represented by its mission to the UN, opposed the resolution on the grounds that the UN should not prescribe specific cartographic standards, labeling the measure “symbolic” and outside the organization’s mandate. Nevertheless, proponents hailed the vote as a step toward de‑colonising visual narratives and improving geographic literacy. With India and the majority of the international community signaling support, the resolution is expected to influence future atlas editions, school curricula, and digital mapping platforms, gradually reshaping how the world visualises Africa’s true scale.