Latest news with #CorrectTheMap
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
African Union backs map campaign showing Africa's true size
The African Union has joined a campaign urging global institutions to adopt a map of Africa that more accurately reflects the continent's size. The Mercator map, widely used since 1599, shows a version of Africa that has been distorted to appear significantly smaller on account of the globe's spherical shape. The 'Correct the Map' campaign promotes a version of the Earth that more accurately reflects its scale, even on a 2-D surface. 'It might seem to be just a map, but in reality, it is not,' AU Commission Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi told Reuters, explaining that the map promotes a false idea that Africa is 'marginal.' The African Union's endorsement of the campaign adds to its goals of 'reclaiming Africa's rightful place on the global stage,' Haddadi said, as many nations call for a global reckoning over the long-term effects of colonialism and slavery. Solve the daily Crossword
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
African Union pushes for new world map that reflects the continent's true size
The African Union (AU) has thrown its support behind a campaign to replace the 16th-century Mercator world map with one that more accurately reflects Africa's true size. The African Union supports replacing the Mercator map with a more accurate representation of Africa's size. The Mercator map distorts land sizes, enlarging areas near the poles while minimizing equatorial regions like Africa. Advocacy groups have reignited debate, promoting the Equal Earth projection for a fair depiction of continents. The African Union (AU) has thrown its support behind a campaign to replace the 16th-century Mercator world map with one that more accurately reflects Africa's true size. Originally developed by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator for maritime navigation, the projection distorts land masses, magnifying regions near the poles, such as North America and Greenland, while shrinking Africa and South America, Reuters reported. AU Commission deputy chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi says that while it may appear to be just a map, the Mercator projection perpetuates the false impression that Africa is marginal. In reality, Africa is the world's second-largest continent, home to 54 nations and over a billion people. She said such distortions influence education, media narratives, and policymaking. Correct the Map campaign gains momentum While criticism of the Mercator projection is decades old, the debate has been reignited by the Correct The Map campaign, spearheaded by advocacy groups Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa. The movement urges governments, global institutions, and educators to adopt the 2018 Equal Earth projection, designed to portray the relative sizes of countries and continents more accurately. 'The current size of Africa on the map is wrong. It's the world's longest-running misinformation and disinformation campaign, and it must stop,' said Moky Makura, executive director of Africa No Filter. Haddadi said the AU's endorsement aligns with its broader goal of 'reclaiming Africa's rightful place on the global stage,' as momentum builds for colonial and slavery reparations. The AU plans to push for broader adoption of the Equal Earth map and coordinate action among member states. The Mercator projection remains widely used, including in education and technology. While Google Maps replaced Mercator with a 3D globe view on desktop in 2018, it remains the default on mobile.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Why an African group wants to replace the traditional world map
The African Union is championing a drive to replace the 16th-century Mercator world map, arguing it inaccurately depicts Africa 's true scale. The Mercator projection distorts continent sizes, inflating areas near the poles while shrinking Africa and South America. The 'Correct The Map' campaign, supported by the AU and advocacy groups, urges organisations to adopt the 2018 Equal Earth projection, which aims to reflect countries' true sizes. The campaign seeks to influence media, education, and policy, with plans to promote the Equal Earth projection as the main standard in classrooms and global institutions. While some organisations like Google Maps (on desktop) and the World Bank are phasing out Mercator, the campaign is pushing for wider adoption by bodies such as the United Nations.
