Australia and Africa expand, North America and Europe shrink: UN adopts new world map
- Posted on September 5, 2026
- By The Sydney Morning Herald
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- 1 min read
In brief
The United Nations has endorsed the Equal Earth projection as an alternative to the traditional Mercator map, a decision that reshapes how continents are visually represented globally. This cartographic shift reveals significant size distortions in the 16th-century Mercator projection, particularly inflating Northern Hemisphere landmasses while diminishing Africa and South America. The US opposed this initiative, citing concerns about ideological implications, while the international community recognizes the importance of accurate geographic representation in education and policy-making.
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Australia and Africa expand, North America and Europe shrink: UN adopts new world map
The US was the only country to vote against the move to limit use of the famous 16th-century Mercator map for the Equal Earth projection, saying it promoted an “ideological agenda”.
