The United Nations has passed a non-binding resolution to endorse the Equal Earth map. This map is designed to represent the actual sizes of landmasses more fairly. While the Mercator map greatly exaggerates the size of landmasses, especially in polar regions, the Equal Earth map minimizes these distortions.
Distortions in Mercator Maps
The Mercator map, which is widely used, makes continents and countries, especially in polar regions, appear unrealistically larger. For example, countries near the North and South Poles can appear between two to fourteen times their actual size. In contrast, the Equal Earth map is more suitable for comparing the sizes of continents and countries and provides a fairer perspective for the public.
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Impacts and Challenges
Although the UN resolution legitimizes the Equal Earth map, it will not be adopted globally as a standard. Changing existing maps in textbooks, databases, media productions, and diplomatic negotiations requires significant investment and effort. However, this map has gained considerable popularity among cartographers since its introduction in 2018 and is being utilized in various media.
Resistance to the Equal Earth map has been limited. Several countries abstained from voting in the UN General Assembly, primarily for other reasons. For instance, Ukraine expressed concerns about the representation of the Crimean Peninsula, which is shown as a disputed area. This issue led to reactions from Russia and other countries regarding disputed territories. Nevertheless, the UN resolution focuses more on how the world is visualized rather than specific political borders.
Cartography is a decentralized process, and no single entity oversees the use of a specific map. The decision on which projection map to use is up to cartographers and will vary based on specific needs and uses. The Equal Earth map serves as a tool for education and public communication, helping to provide a more accurate geographical understanding of the relative sizes of countries and continents.
Ultimately, despite criticisms and challenges, the Equal Earth map can help change perceptions about the value and power of different regions of the world. This map can alter the way continents, especially Africa, are taught and discussed in a global context.
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Source: independent.co.uk
