UN votes to move away from Mercator map for Africa
By The BriefBrief
The United Nations voted on Saturday to shift away from the 16th-century Mercator global map toward one that more accurately reflects the true size of countries. The resolution was sponsored by African states to counter perceptions that Africa is peripheral, passing with support from 164 nations; the United States voted against and several others abstained.
WHO:United Nations member states
WHAT:UN resolution passed to move away from the Mercator projection in favor of a map showing countries’ true size more accurately
WHEN:Sep 5, 2026
WHERE:United Nations
WHY:African states sponsored the resolution to counter perceptions that Africa is peripheral.
