UN votes to adopt new world map that shows Africa’s true scale
After publishing: 7 headlines quietly rewritten, 4 descriptions edited11 changes
- The Guardian Worldseen 4 Sept, 17:39headline rewritten
UN to vote on adopting new world map that shows Africa’s true scaleUN votes to adopt new world map that shows Africa’s true scale - The Guardian Worldseen 4 Sept, 21:43description edited
what the description said, before and after
Togo-sponsored resolution called to phase out traditional map that depicts continent as similar size to Greenland The United Nations has voted to adopt a resolution for the world to formally phase out the traditional Mercator map of the globe in favour of one that more accurately displays Africa’s size. In a session at it headquarters in New York, the UN general assembly officially retired the 16th-century Mercator projection in favour of one based on the more accurate 2018 Equal Earth design....Togo-sponsored resolution called to phase out traditional map that depicts continent as similar size to Greenland The United Nations has voted to adopt a resolution for the world to formally phase out the traditional Mercator map of the globe in favour of one that more accurately displays Africa’s size. In a session at its headquarters in New York, the UN general assembly officially retired the 16th-century Mercator projection in favour of one based on the more accurate 2018 Equal Earth design....
- NYT Worldseen 4 Sept, 21:43headline rewritten
U.N. to Vote on African Proposal for a New World MapU.N. Approves African Proposal for a New World Map - iDNES (Czechia)seen 4 Sept, 21:43headline rewritten
OSN rozhoduje, zda překreslí mapu světa. Na změnu tlačí hlavně ublížená AfrikaAfrika větší, Rusko menší. OSN schválila překreslení staletí používané mapy světa - tportal (Croatia)seen 4 Sept, 21:43headline rewritten
Ovako izgleda nova karta svijeta: Hrvatska je 'za' njeno uvođenjeOvako izgleda nova karta svijeta: Primjećujete li razliku? - La Repubblica (Italy)seen 4 Sept, 21:43headline rewritten
L’Onu al voto per adottare una mappa del mondo che rappresenti meglio l’Africa: la proposta del TogoL’Onu adotta una nuova mappa del mondo per rappresentare meglio la realtà, soprattutto l’Africa. Gli Usa contrari - Tagesschau (Germany)seen 5 Sept, 09:33headline rewritten
UN stimmen für neue Weltkarte - Afrika wächstUN-Vollversammlung stimmt für neue Weltkarte - Afrika wächst - DW Top Storiesseen 5 Sept, 17:40description edited
what the description said, before and after
The UN General Assembly voted to adopt a map that more accurately shows the size of the continents. Only the United States voted against the measure, which projects the country as smaller than on traditional maps.The UN General Assembly has voted to adopt a map that more accurately shows the size of the continents. Only the United States voted against the measure, which projects the country as smaller than on traditional maps.
- Tagesschau (Germany)seen 5 Sept, 17:40headline rewritten
UN-Vollversammlung stimmt für neue Weltkarte - Afrika wächstUN stimmen für neue Weltkarte - Afrika größer dargestellt - BBC News Worldseen 7 Sept, 03:52description edited
what the description said, before and after
The Togo-sponsored resolution was backed by 164 nations - the US the only nation to vote against it.The Togo-sponsored resolution was backed by 164 nations - with the US as the only nation to vote against it.
- NYT Worldseen 7 Sept, 03:52description edited
what the description said, before and after
The Equal Earth projection shows countries’ true size relative to one another, unlike the centuries-old Mercator map, which critics say makes Africa look smaller than it is.The Equal Earth projection shows countries’ true relative sizes, unlike the Mercator map, which critics say makes Africa look smaller than it is.
After the peak, new reports halved every 12 hours so far - this story is still being covered, so the figure moves as reports arrive.
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44 reports left out of the cascade - too little in common with the story to place
How it spread - 65 original reports, 10 reprints
Fri, 4 September 2026
31 reports- The Guardian World02:00edited after publishing ×2
previously
UN to vote on adopting new world map that shows Africa’s true scaleTogo-sponsored resolution called to phase out traditional map that depicts continent as similar size to Greenland The United Nations has voted to adopt a resolution for the world to formally phase out the traditional Mercator map of the globe in favour of one that more accurately displays Africa’s size. In a session at its headquarters in New York, the UN general assembly officially retired the 16th-century Mercator projection in favour of one based on the more accurate 2018 Equal Earth design....
- UN Press04:00first to report
The General Assembly today took an important step towards correcting distortions in commonly used world maps, particularly the Mercator projection, which are seen misrepresenting the relative size of continents and contribute to a diminished perception of Africa and other equatorial regions.
- NYT World11:02edited after publishing ×2
previously
U.N. to Vote on African Proposal for a New World MapThe Equal Earth projection shows countries’ true relative sizes, unlike the Mercator map, which critics say makes Africa look smaller than it is.
- iDNES (Czechia)14:26edited after publishing
previously
OSN rozhoduje, zda překreslí mapu světa. Na změnu tlačí hlavně ublížená AfrikaAfrika na většině používaných map vypadá mnohem menší, než ve skutečnosti je. Valné shromáždění OSN proto v pátek jednalo o návrhu Toga, které chce prosadit přesnější mapu světa a postupně opustit staletí starou Mercatorovu projekci. Ta například staví rozlohou nesrovnatelné Afriku a Grónsko téměř na stejnou úroveň. Valné shromáždění OSN rezoluci schválilo.
- Index.hr (Croatia)14:36
ROBERT Dussey, ministar vanjskih poslova Toga, izjavio je da je rezoluciju predložio Togo te da su je podržale i druge zemlje, među kojima je svih 54 članica Afričke unije.
- France Info (France)15:14
L'ONU examine, vendredi, un projet de résolution défendu par le Togo et l'Union africaine, intitulé "Correct the Map" ("Corrigez la carte") afin de représenter à une échelle plus réaliste les différentes parties du monde, dont le continent africain.
- La Repubblica (Italy)15:20edited after publishing
previously
L’Onu al voto per adottare una mappa del mondo che rappresenti meglio l’Africa: la proposta del TogoLa “Equal Earth” promuove una rappresentazione globale più fedele alle dimensioni reali dei continenti, a differenza della tradizionale proiezione di Mercatore
- Le Figaro (France)16:06
Avec le soutien de Paris, l’ONU a adopté ce vendredi une résolution portée par le Togo et l’Union africaine pour remettre les continents à leur juste échelle.
- tportal (Croatia)16:43edited after publishing
previously
Ovako izgleda nova karta svijeta: Hrvatska je 'za' njeno uvođenjeOpća skupština UN-a izglasala je rezoluciju o novoj karti svijeta na kojoj su kontinenti i druge kopnene mase prikazane proporcionalno svojoj stvarnoj veličini. Na kartama kakve znamo, Afrika je gotovo jednake veličine kao Grenland, iako je zapravo 14 puta veća
- El País (Spain)17:05
Togo ha liderado los esfuerzos diplomáticos, en nombre de la Unión Africana, de una iniciativa que busca “la equidad cartográfica mundial” aplicada a los libros de texto, atlas y páginas web institucionales
- Index.hr (Croatia)17:07
OPĆA skupština Ujedinjenih naroda izglasala je usvajanje nove karte svijeta koja prikazuje stvarne relativne veličine država, nakon što su afričke zemlje pozvale UN da ispravi nepravdu staru nekoliko stoljeća.
- ABC (Spain)17:12
La Asamblea General de Naciones Unidas ha dado 'luz verde' este viernes a una resolución presentada por Togo y apoyada por la Unión Africana para abandonar el uso de la proyección de mapas de Mercator y sustituirlo por uno que muestre con mayor precisión el tamaño de continentes como África o regiones como América Latina.El texto, aprobado con 164 votos a favor y uno en contra, el de Estados Unidos, con seis abstenciones, alude a que las «distorsiones cartográficas en el tamaño de los...
- BBC News World17:26edited after publishing
The Togo-sponsored resolution was backed by 164 nations - with the US as the only nation to vote against it.
- Le Monde (France)17:29
Cette réforme d’ampleur, adoptée vendredi, incite les organisations internationales et les Etats à utiliser des représentations du type « Equal Earth », plus fidèle à la taille réelle des continents.
- France Info (France)18:04
La résolution vise à encourager les organisations internationales et les Etats à utiliser des représentations cartographiques de type "Equal Earth".
- Google News - Top Stories18:07
Explanation of Vote Before the Vote for UNGA 80 Adoption on the Resolution to “Correct the Map” United States Mission to the United Nations (.gov) The U.N. backed a map that shows Africa true to size. The U.S. was sole objector. The Washington Post UN votes to adopt new map that makes our world look very different CNN US only country to oppose UN resolution correcting Africa’s size on world maps thehill.com What different world maps get right - and what they get wrong BBC
- RMF24 (Poland)18:52
ONZ przyjęła rezolucję w sprawie map świata. Odchodzimy od Mercatora
- ČT24 (Czechia)18:53
Valné shromáždění OSN schválilo rezoluci o nahrazení Mercatorova zobrazení na mapách světa mapami, které by přesněji odrážely skutečnou velikost jednotlivých zemí. Dokument předložily africké státy s cílem vyvrátit vnímání tohoto kontinentu jako méně významné oblasti, píše Reuters.
- South China Morning Post18:58
The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to back a resolution spearheaded by several African countries to adopt a map that makes their continent bigger while shrinking North America and Europe. Aimed at “a more accurate representation” of continental landmasses, the resolution was supported by 164 countries while the US voted against it and six other states abstained. The new map – known as the Equal Earth cartographic projection – “is a relevant option for improving the accuracy...
- Google News - Top Stories19:19
UN tells the world: Stop making Africa look small UN News UN votes to adopt new world map that shows Africa’s true scale The Guardian UN General Assembly endorses a new world map that shows more accurately Africa’s size apnews.com Explanation of Vote Before the Vote for UNGA 80 Adoption on the Resolution to “Correct the Map” United States Mission to the United Nations (.gov) UN votes to adopt new map that makes our world look very different cnn.com
- Al Jazeera English19:25
The widely-used Mercator map is often criticised for visually exaggerating and centralising Western nations.
- Telegram.hr (Croatia)19:58
Ovaj kartografski prikaz odbacuje tzv. Mercatorovu projekciju
- Novinky (Czechia)20:00
Valné shromáždění OSN v pátek schválilo rezoluci o nahrazení Mercatorova zobrazení na mapách světa mapami založenými na přesnějším návrhu Equal Earth z roku 2018, které by přesněji odrážely skutečnou velikost jednotlivých zemí. V čele iniciativy za změnu stálo Togo.
- Dnevnik.hr (Croatia)20:45
- ABC News (Australia)20:45
The United Nations has voted to adopt a map that makes Africa bigger while shrinking North America and Europe.
- Die Zeit (Germany)22:08
- NPR News22:26
The U.N. has backed a new map showing Africa in its true relative size, with the U.S. standing alone in opposition.
9 reprints
- kedm.org4 Sept, 22:26their copy
- capeandislands.org4 Sept, 22:26their copy
- krvs.org4 Sept, 22:26their copy
- wsiu.org4 Sept, 22:26their copy
- wknofm.org4 Sept, 22:26their copy
- hppr.org4 Sept, 22:26their copy
- wxxinews.org4 Sept, 22:26their copy
- mynspr.org4 Sept, 22:26their copy
- kasu.org4 Sept, 22:26their copy
- Google News - Top Stories22:26
The U.N. backs a new world map showing Africa in its true relative size NPR UN votes to adopt new map that makes our world look very different CNN UN approves new map showing Africa’s true size Al Jazeera Explanation of Vote Before the Vote for UNGA 80 Adoption on the Resolution to “Correct the Map” United States Mission to the United Nations (.gov) UN votes to adopt new world map that shows Africa’s true scale The Guardian
- Der Spiegel (Germany)23:01
Die Afrikanische Union beklagt schon länger, ihr Kontinent werde auf Weltkarten nicht realistisch dargestellt. Nun nimmt die Uno-Vollversammlung eine Resolution an, die das ändern soll. Nur eine Nation stimmte dagegen.
- DW Top Stories23:34edited after publishing
The UN General Assembly has voted to adopt a map that more accurately shows the size of the continents. Only the United States voted against the measure, which projects the country as smaller than on traditional maps.
- Die Zeit (Germany)23:59
Die UN will die gängige Mercator-Weltkarte aus dem 16. Jahrhundert ersetzen. Dadurch sollen Kontinente nach ihren tatsächlichen Größenverhältnissen dargestellt werden.
Sat, 5 September 2026
24 reports- Anadolu Agency (AA)00:01
‘Correct the Map’ resolution promotes Equal Earth projection to address distortions in widely used Mercator maps
- Tagesschau (Germany)00:12edited after publishing ×2
previously
UN-Vollversammlung stimmt für neue Weltkarte - Afrika wächstWer eine Weltkarte zückt, nutzt meist eine Mercator-Karte. Doch die für die Seefahrt entwickelte Karte verzerrt die Größenverhältnisse und lässt Afrika zu klein erscheinen. Die UN stimmten nun für eine neue, flächentreue Weltkarte.
- theglobeandmail.com00:28
The UN assembly voted 164 to 1, with six abstentions, to support Africa’s campaign for cartographic justice
- Google News - Top Stories00:53
UN votes to adopt new world map to reflect Africa's true size BBC UN votes to adopt new map that makes our world look very different cnn.com UN General Assembly endorses a new world map that shows more accurately Africa's size ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos Explanation of Vote Before the Vote for UNGA 80 Adoption on the Resolution to “Correct the Map” United States Mission to the United Nations (.gov) The U.N. backs a new world map showing Africa in its true relative size NPR
- Japan Times01:20
The new map — known as the Equal Earth cartographic projection — improves "the accuracy of the cartographic representation of the world," the resolution said.
- Google News - Europe query01:54
Africa Now Bigger In World Map. 164 Countries Backed Resolution, US Opposed NDTV
- Times of India02:13
- Times of India02:13
- Al Jazeera English04:13
The UN General Assembly has backed a resolution to change to maps that more accurately show the true size of Africa.
- Google News - Europe query05:56
Africa bigger, North America and Europe smaller: UN adopts new world map The Tribune
- english.news.cn08:00
UN adopts resolution in favor of Equal Earth cartographic projection in world maps-
- Wirtualna Polska (Poland)09:30
Zgromadzenie Ogólne ONZ przyjęło w piątek rezolucję na rzecz wprowadzenia nowej mapy świata, wierniej odzwierciedlającej rozmiary państw i kontynentów. O przyjęcie uchwały zabiegały kraje afrykańskie.
- Politico Europe09:35
The American delegation dismissed the resolution as part of a "much larger and more radical ideological project."
- eyeradio.org10:53
The African Union Commission has praised a landmark UN General Assembly decision advocating for a shift toward more accurate global mapping, replacing traditional world maps that understate the true scale of the African continent. In an official communiqué issued from Addis Ababa on Friday, AUC Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf welcomed the adoption of the […]
- Polsat News (Poland)11:46
ONZ przyjęła rezolucję o wprowadzeniu nowej mapy świata. Wnioskowały o to kraje z Afryki. Nowa wersja ma wierniej odzwierciedlać rozmiary państw i kontynentów. Przeciwko rezolucji były Stany Zjednoczone.
- idrw.org12:30
Get the latest Indian defence news, military updates and analysis on the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, DRDO, fighter jets, missiles and defence technology.
- Al Jazeera English12:49
The new map makes Africa, Latin America, South Asia and Oceania larger than the traditional Mercator projection.
- Google News - Top Stories12:52
How big is Africa really? Why the UN voted to change the world map Al Jazeera UN votes to adopt new map that makes our world look very different CNN What different world maps get right - and what they get wrong BBC The U.N. backed a map that shows Africa true to size. The U.S. was sole objector. The Washington Post Explanation of Vote Before the Vote for UNGA 80 Adoption on the Resolution to “Correct the Map” United States Mission to the United Nations (.gov)
- Google News - Top Stories12:57
US only country to oppose UN resolution correcting Africa’s size on world maps The Hill The U.N. backed a map that shows Africa true to size. The U.S. was sole objector. The Washington Post What different world maps get right - and what they get wrong BBC Explanation of Vote Before the Vote for UNGA 80 Adoption on the Resolution to “Correct the Map” United States Mission to the United Nations (.gov) UN votes to adopt new map that makes our world look very different CNN
- The Hill12:57
The U.S. was the only country to not support a United Nations resolution adjusting the appearance of Africa and other regions on world maps. The body passed the “Correct the Map” initiative by a margin of 164 to one, with six nations abstaining from the vote. The resolution, which was introduced by the West African...
- BBC News World13:46
As the UN adopts a new world map to reflect Africa's true size, let's take a closer look at what different maps get right and wrong.
1 reprint
- yahoo.com5 Sept, 16:14their copy
- iRozhlas (Czechia)14:45
Afrika se co nevidět zvětší – alespoň tedy na světových mapách. Valné shromáždění OSN totiž v drtivé většině podpořilo návrh na nahrazení Mercatorova zobrazení na mapách. Dokument předložily státy Africké unie v čele s Togem. Právě Afrika se v Mercatorově zobrazení jeví jako výrazně menší, než ve skutečnosti je.
- El Mundo (Spain)14:53
La Asamblea General aprueba el modelo Equal Earth para corregir las distorsiones de Mercator. El ajuste reduce el tamaño desproporcionado del norte del continente y devuelve a la península ibérica su peso geográfico real frente a potencias como Alemania o Reino Unido Leer
- Google News - Top Stories15:16
Paris drops Mercator projection: France now looks smaller on world maps Euronews.com The U.N. backed a map that shows Africa true to size. The U.S. was sole objector. The Washington Post ‘Radical’: U.S. rejects U.N.-adopted world map adjusting Africa’s size ms.now What different world maps get right - and what they get wrong BBC Explanation of Vote Before the Vote for UNGA 80 Adoption on the Resolution to “Correct the Map” usun.usmission.gov
Sun, 6 September 2026
7 reports- Google News - Top Stories07:29
UN votes to endorse new map projection that shows Africa's size more accurately CBS News The U.N. backed a map that shows Africa true to size. The U.S. was sole objector. The Washington Post Can you guess the real size of each country on the new world map? Al Jazeera What different world maps get right - and what they get wrong BBC Explanation of Vote Before the Vote for UNGA 80 Adoption on the Resolution to “Correct the Map” United States Mission to the United Nations (.gov)
- Al Jazeera English11:15
Pick which country is bigger, then watch it morph from Mercator to Equal Earth projection to see how close you were.
- dominicanrepublicpost.com12:11
The map of Africa is much larger than most people think. However, most classroom maps and atlases still understate it – a distortion embedded in the Mercator
- Index.hr (Croatia)12:45
OPĆE skupštine UN-a da velikom većinom podrži pravedniji prikaz veličine kontinenata ponovno je otvorila pitanje koje kartografi poznaju stoljećima: karta svijeta koju većina ljudi ima u glavi prilično ozbiljno vara kada je riječ o veličini država i kontinenata.
- vanguardngr.com14:45
ABUJA— Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, has welcomed a United Nations resolution encouraging the use of world maps that more accurately represent Africa’s size, but cautioned that a corrected map alone cannot drive the continent’s economic transformation. Moghalu, who disclosed this in a post on his X platform on […]
- Index.hr (Croatia)15:16
UN JE USVOJIO novu kartu svijeta koja Krim vizualno odvaja od Ukrajine. Kijev je prosvjedovao, opisujući prikaz kao neprihvatljiv, iako Krim nije prikazan ni kao dio Rusije.
- Il Fatto Quotidiano (Italy)15:48
L’Assemblea Generale delle Nazioni Unite ha approvato una risoluzione per promuovere l’adozione di mappe del mondo più fedeli alle reali dimensioni dei continenti, incoraggiando il progressivo abbandono della tradizionale proiezione di Mercatore. Il testo, promosso dal Togo dall’Unione Africana e co-sponsorizzato dalla Francia, è stato adottato con 164 voti favorevoli, un voto contrario, quello degli […] L'articolo L’Onu vota l’addio alla mappa del mondo di Mercatore che falsa la dimensione dei...
Mon, 7 September 2026
3 reports- AllAfrica05:17
[Dabanga] New York / Amsterdam -- An African-led campaign against the dominance and 'cartographic colonialism' of the Mercator projection of the world map has won overwhelming backing at the United Nations after centuries of maps that visually diminished the continent
- AllAfrica06:48
[Daily News] Dar es Salaam -- THE United Nations decision to promote world maps that more accurately portray the size of continents could trigger a rethink of how geography is taught and understood in Tanzania.
- AllAfrica06:48
[This Day] The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the weekend adopted a resolution promoting the wider use of equal-area world maps, including the Equal Earth projection, in a move aimed at addressing long-standing distortions in the representation of Africa and other equatorial regions.