The world’s most acquainted map is going through recent scrutiny after the UN Normal Meeting backed a push for maps that present international locations and continents in thei…
1/9The UN takes on the world map | On September 4, 2026, the UN Normal Meeting backed a decision selling wider use of equal-area map projections, which protect the relative dimension of nations and continents. 164 international locations voted in favour, 1 voted towards, and 6 abstained. The US was the one nation to vote towards the decision. The decision encourages using projections resembling Equal Earth the place correct land-area comparisons matter. It doesn’t ban the Mercator projection. (Picture: Reuters)
2/9Why is the Mercator map so acquainted? | The Mercator projection, created by cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569, has been one of many world’s most acquainted methods of displaying Earth on a flat floor. It was developed as a cylindrical projection and was significantly helpful for navigation as a result of it preserves angles and instructions. Nonetheless, it doesn’t protect the true dimension of landmasses. (Picture: Canva)
3/9The issue with the Mercator projection | The additional a rustic is from the equator, the higher the scale distortion turns into on a Mercator map. International locations and areas within the far north and south can seem a lot bigger than they really are, whereas many areas nearer to the equator seem comparatively smaller. For instance, Canada and Russia occupy far much less of the world’s land space than their look on a Mercator map might counsel. (Picture: Canva)
4/9Why do some international locations look smaller? | International locations resembling India, Australia and Indonesia can seem smaller in contrast with northern landmasses on a Mercator map. Taking a look at international locations primarily based on their precise land space offers a distinct image. Equal-area projections intention to maintain these proportions correct, even when they’ve to alter the form or look of nations. (Picture: Canva)
5/9The Greenland phantasm | Among the finest-known examples of Mercator distortion is Greenland. On the projection, Greenland can look virtually comparable in dimension to Africa. In actuality, Africa is about 14 instances bigger than Greenland. The distinction highlights how strongly map projections can have an effect on the way in which individuals understand the scale of continents and international locations. (Picture: Canva)
6/9Do bigger-looking international locations appear extra necessary? | Maps do greater than assist individuals find international locations. They’ll additionally form how the world is perceived. Critics of the Mercator projection argue that repeatedly displaying some areas as a lot bigger than others can have an effect on perceptions of their relative significance. Africa and international locations nearer to the equator are sometimes cited as examples of areas that seem smaller than their precise land space. (Picture: Canva)
7/9The Gall-Peters projection | Cartographers have lengthy tried to handle the scale downside by creating several types of world maps. The Gall-Peters projection preserves the right relative areas of nations and continents however considerably adjustments their shapes. James Gall printed an outline of the projection in 1885. Arno Peters later introduced it to wider consideration within the early Nineteen Seventies by the Peters World Map. (Picture: Wikimedia Commons)
8/9Different makes an attempt to make a greater world map | Cartographers have developed a number of projections to cut back several types of distortion. The Mollweide projection, created in 1805, prioritises correct proportions over angles and form. The Goode homolosine projection, developed in 1923, makes use of interruptions to cut back distortion throughout continents. The Dymaxion map, designed by Buckminster Fuller in 1946, additionally aimed to cut back distortion by displaying the continents in a distinct association. (Picture: Wikimedia Commons)
9/9Equal Earth and the way forward for world maps | The Equal Earth projection, launched in 2018 by cartographers Bojan Savric, Tom Patterson and Bernhard Jenny, goals to protect the right relative dimension of nations and continents whereas holding their shapes recognisable. In 2026, it turned central to the UN-backed push for wider use of equal-area maps. There isn’t any flat map that may fully remove distortion. The selection is about which facets of Earth needs to be proven most precisely. (Picture: Wikimedia Commons)
