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

**UN General Assembly adopts resolution to replace traditional world map with a proportionally accurate depiction of Africa**

*New York, 5 September 2026* – In a landmark vote at the United Nations General Assembly, 164 member states backed a resolution calling for the adoption of a new world map that accurately reflects the continent’s true size. The resolution, formally titled “Adoption of an Accurate Geographical Representation of the World,” was introduced by a coalition of African, Asian and Latin American nations and passed with an overwhelming majority. The United States, however, stood alone among the 193 UN members in casting a dissenting vote, citing concerns that the change was “politically motivated” rather than purely cartographic.

The move seeks to replace the widely used Mercator projection, which has long distorted the relative size of landmasses, with an equal‑area projection such as the Gall‑Peters or the UNESCO‑endorsed Robinson. Under the traditional Mercator view, Africa appears roughly the size of the United States, whereas the new representation shows it spanning a land area comparable to the combined size of China, the United States and Brazil. Proponents argue that the distorted map has perpetuated misconceptions about Africa’s economic and geopolitical significance, reinforcing stereotypes rooted in colonial-era perspectives. India, the United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa and a majority of European and African states voted in favor, while the United States was joined in opposition only by Israel, which abstained from the final tally.

U.S. officials framed their opposition as a precaution against “politicizing a technical standard,” warning that the adoption of a single map could become a foothold for future geopolitical disputes. The United Nations Secretariat, meanwhile, welcomed the vote as a step toward “visual equity” and announced plans to circulate the new map through its publications, educational resources and digital platforms. The resolution does not compel any member state to replace existing cartographic products but encourages UN agencies and affiliated bodies to prioritize the accurate projection in official materials. Observers note that the decision may catalyze a broader reassessment of how geography is taught and presented worldwide, potentially reshaping public understanding of global dynamics.