U.N. Approves African Proposal for a New World Map

Live updates

1. 8h ago

   UN Approves Equal Earth Map Despite Territorial Protests

   The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Equal Earth map projection on Friday, September 4, 2026, passing by a vote of 164 to one to correct the 400-year-old Mercator map's distortion of African and continental sizes. While supporters championed the geographic area equalization, the resolution triggered immediate pushback from member states over disputed borders. India voted in favor while issuing a stern caveat demanding adherence to official maps for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and Kyiv protested after the map separated Crimea from Ukraine.

   Why it matters

   Traditional maps like the 16th-century Mercator projection have long depicted continents such as Africa as significantly smaller than their actual size. The UN General Assembly resolution promotes alternatives like the Equal Earth projection to improve cartographic education, focusing strictly on geographic area equalization rather than altering political boundaries.

   What is confirmed

   • The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on Friday, September 4, 2026, approving the Equal Earth map projection.
   • The resolution passed with a vote of 164 to one, with the United States casting the sole opposing vote.
   • India voted in favor of the map resolution while demanding strict adherence to official maps for its sovereign territories, including Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Iranian state media claimed to have struck an unmanned U.S. vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which a U.S. Central Command spokesperson denied as a total lie.
   • Ukrainian lawmaker Kira Rudik stated that Crimea is Ukraine and that the UN should not need a reminder in 2026.
   • Young people from Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and other countries declared their intention to build a united youth movement against continued neocolonial exploitation.

   What to watch next

   • Implementation of the Equal Earth projection in international cartographic education and official UN documentation.
   • Further diplomatic protests or reservations filed by member states regarding disputed international borders on the new map.
   Sources used for this update (9)

   1. www.inquirer.com — U.S. denies Iran’s claim to have struck an unmanned ship in Strait of Hormuz
   2. english.gujaratsamachar.com — 'India's Sovereign Territory Non-Negotiable': How New UN Map Proposal Passed With Delhi's Stern Border Caveat
   3. pragativadi.com — India backs UN’s ‘Equal Earth’ map but flags inaccurate depiction of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh
   4. www.yahoo.com — UN endorses new map that shows Africa's size more accurately
   5. www.yahoo.com — Kyiv protests new UN map separating Crimea from Ukraine
   6. www.dailymail.com — Australia gets a new shape in world map - as debate erupts over controversial changes
   7. www.togofirst.com — Togo Scores UN Win in Push to Correct Africa’s Size on World Maps
   8. www.myjoyonline.com — African youth reject neocolonialism and demand reparations
   9. www.tbsnews.net — Think you know the map of the world? Test your geography skills.
   confidence 95%
2. 1d ago

   U.N. Approves African Proposal for New World Map

   The United Nations General Assembly has approved a resolution adopting the Equal Earth map projection, which supporters say accurately displays the true size of countries, particularly Africa. The U.S. cast the sole opposing vote. The new map aims to correct distortions found in traditional projections, such as the Mercator map, which have been used for centuries.

   Why it matters

   The approval of the Equal Earth map projection is significant as it seeks to challenge centuries-old distortions that make Africa appear smaller than it really is. The new map will encourage governments, educational institutions, and technology companies worldwide to transition away from traditional map formats. This move aims to promote a more accurate representation of the world's geography.

   What is confirmed

   • The U.N. General Assembly approved a resolution favoring the Equal Earth projection.
   • The U.S. cast the sole opposing vote against the measure.
   • The new map aims to show the true size of countries, particularly Africa.
   • The traditional Mercator projection has been used for over 450 years.

   What to watch next

   • The adoption of the Equal Earth map projection by governments, educational institutions, and technology companies worldwide.
   • The U.S. government's response to the U.N. resolution.
   • The impact of the new map on global perceptions of geography.
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.inquirer.com — U.N. approves African proposal for a new world map
   2. www.israelnationalnews.com — UN presents a new world map
   3. www.mirror.co.uk — United Nations votes to adopt new world map which will shrink the US and supersize Africa
   4. dailypost.ng — Ukraine war: Trump sends Witkoff, Kushner to Moscow, Kyiv for peace talks
   confidence 90%
3. 2d ago

   UN Approves Equal Earth Map to Correct Africa Size

   The United Nations General Assembly has approved a resolution adopting the Equal Earth map projection to accurately display the true size of Africa and other continents. The newly endorsed map makes Africa appear significantly larger while reducing the exaggerated proportions of North America and Europe found on older projections. Governments, educational institutions, and technology companies worldwide are encouraged by the resolution to transition away from traditional map formats. The United States cast the sole opposing vote against the measure.

   Why it matters

   Traditional global cartography relied heavily on methods that distorted landmass sizes, disproportionately shrinking continents near the equator while enlarging northern regions over centuries of use. France announced plans to abandon the older Mercator projection separately from the UN vote. Proponents view the adoption as a correction of historical cartographic representation.

   What is confirmed

   • The United Nations General Assembly voted to encourage governments, schools, and tech companies worldwide to adopt the Equal Earth map projection.
   • The Equal Earth map makes Africa appear significantly larger while reducing the exaggerated size of North America and Europe.
   • The United States was the only country that voted against the UN General Assembly resolution supporting the Equal Earth map.

   What to watch next

   • Implementation of the Equal Earth map by national governments, schools, and technology companies.
   • Potential adoption steps by other individual countries following France's decision to abandon the Mercator projection.
   Sources used for this update (10)

   1. The New York Times — U.N. to Vote on African Proposal for a New World Map
   2. The Guardian — UN to vote on adopting new world map that shows Africa’s true scale
   3. France 24 — France to abandon 'distorted' Mercator map projection: minister
   4. cnn.com — UN to vote on adopting new map that would make our world look very different
   5. Reuters — UN approves resolution in support of map that shows Africa's true size
   6. dailypost.ng — UN approves new map showing Africa’s true size, US opposes
   7. www.theweek.in — Africa to appear in true size after UN adopts Equal Earth map; US objects
   8. www.aljazeera.com — UN approves new map showing Africa’s true size
   9. www.dynamitenews.com — UN World Map Revolution: Africa Gets Bigger As 450-Year-Old Map Faces Historic Change
   10. eadaily.com — The United States single-handedly voted against the UN General Assembly resolution in support of the Equal Earth map
   confidence 100%