The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution aimed at correcting the long-standing distortions of Africa's size on maps. The 'Correct the Map' resolution, sponsored by Togo and backed by the African Union, was adopted with 164 votes on September 4. The resolution seeks to address the inaccuracies of the Mercator map projection, which has been in use since the 16th century and depicts Africa as being smaller than its actual size.
The Mercator map projection, designed by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569, has been widely used for centuries despite its inaccuracies. The projection suggests that Africa is about the size of Greenland, when in fact the African continent is 14 times larger. This distortion has contributed to a Eurocentric view of the world, perpetuating a colonial-imperialist understanding of Africa's place in the world. The resolution's adoption marks a significant step towards correcting this misperception.
The 'Correct the Map' campaign, which led to the adoption of the resolution, was sparked by the development of the Equal Earth projection in 2018. Cartographers worked to redraw the global map, correcting the sizes of all continents and providing a more accurate representation of the world. The campaign gained momentum, resulting in an overwhelming majority of UN member states voting in favor of the resolution. The United States was the only member state to vote against the resolution.
The use of the Mercator map projection has been seen as a form of visual marginalization of the African continent. It has contributed to a perception of Africa as a continent without its own history, perpetuating a Eurocentric view of the world. The resolution's adoption is seen as a modest but symbolically significant "cognitive correction" aimed at addressing the legacy of colonialism. However, many argue that more work needs to be done to address the ongoing impacts of colonialism.
The distortions of the Mercator map projection are just one example of the marginalization of Africa. The classification of human beings in a hierarchical manner, with Europeans at the top and Africans at the bottom, was also a product of colonial-era thinking. Prominent thinkers in European countries cultivated a form of racism based on pseudo-science, which has had lasting impacts on the continent. The adoption of the resolution is seen as a step towards correcting these historical injustices.
The legacy of colonialism continues to be felt in many parts of Africa. The material, institutional, and mental structures left behind by colonial powers continue to shape the continent's development. The adoption of the resolution is seen as a way to address these ongoing challenges and promote a more accurate understanding of Africa's place in the world. However, many argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of these challenges.
The adoption of the 'Correct the Map' resolution marks a significant step towards promoting a more accurate understanding of Africa's size and place in the world. The resolution's adoption is seen as a way to promote awareness and education about the continent's history and culture. Key points include: the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution with 164 votes; the Mercator map projection has been widely used despite its inaccuracies; and the resolution's adoption marks a modest but symbolically significant "cognitive correction" aimed at addressing the legacy of colonialism.
Key points
- The UN General Assembly adopted the 'Correct the Map' resolution with 164 votes.
- The Mercator map projection has been widely used despite its inaccuracies.
- The resolution's adoption marks a modest but symbolically significant "cognitive correction" aimed at addressing the legacy of colonialism.
