Africa hasn't changed in size; it's the world that has changed its perspective.

On September 4, 2026, the UN adopted a resolution sponsored by Togo and supported by the African Union: 164 votes in favor, 1 against, and 6 abstentions. It encourages the use of projections with equivalent surface areas, notably Equal Earth. However, this is not a legal obligation: the resolution is non-binding. And when we consider the geographical and geopolitical consequences, this shift in perspective is striking.

10 things this map lets you see differently

1. Africa is gigantic

Africa covers approximately 30.3 million km². By comparison, Greenland covers approximately 2.2 million km². Africa is therefore almost 14 times larger than Greenland.

On Mercator, however, our eye tends to perceive these two territories as being much closer in size.

2. Africa is larger than the United States, China, India, and Western Europe combined.

This is probably one of the most striking comparisons.

We can place in the African space: the United States; China; India; Japan; several European countries; while remaining within the dimensions of the continent.

It is precisely this kind of comparison that maps with equivalent surface areas make much more intuitive.

3. Europe is much smaller than it looks.

The Mercator projection amplifies surfaces as one moves away from the equator.

Because Europe is located further north, its appearance on a Mercator projection is greatly exaggerated. This obviously does not mean that Europe is geographically "wrong": it is its representation on this projection that is inaccurate in terms of area.

4. Greenland is the perfect example

On Mercator, Greenland appears almost as large as Africa.

In reality: Africa ≈ 30.3 million km², Greenland ≈ 2.2 million km², approximately 14 Greenlands in one Africa.

5. South America is also greatly underestimated

Therefore, the phenomenon is not limited to Africa.

Regions near the equator — Africa, South America, parts of Southeast Asia — are visually smaller compared to northern regions.

The new representation also rebalances their perception.

6. Africa is practically a world unto itself

The continent possesses a geographical diversity comparable to that usually associated with several continents.

Within Africa, one finds: Mediterranean zones; coastlines on two oceans and seas; immense river basins; deserts; savannas; equatorial forests; temperate regions as well as mountainous regions.

7. The map influences our perception of power

A map is never just an illustration.

It visually determines: what appears large, what appears small, what appears central, and what appears peripheral.

For decades, generations of students have learned to view the world with Europe and North America occupying a visually disproportionate place.

The African campaign “Correct the Map” specifically considers that this representation contributes to an unbalanced perception of the world.

This is probably the most politically important point.

8. But we must not go to the opposite extreme.

Mercator was not designed to shrink Africa.

Gerardus Mercator developed it in the 16th century primarily to facilitate maritime navigation. It notably preserves angles, which is extremely useful for plotting shipping routes.

The problem is therefore less: " Mercator is a bad map " than: " Mercator is a bad map for comparing areas. "

This is a crucial distinction.

9. Equal Earth also does not perfectly represent the Earth

There is no perfect flat map of our spherical planet.

Any projection must make compromises: area; shape; distance; direction; angles.

Equal Earth prioritizes the accuracy of surface areas.

This is therefore particularly relevant when trying to answer the question:

" What is the actual relative size of the continents? "

The Equal Earth projection was created in 2018 precisely as a global projection with equivalent surfaces.

10. And finally, the most interesting aspect is the geopolitical message.

The UN vote is particularly interesting.

Togo did not simply ask, " Let's use a better map projection ."

The underlying message is rather: " The way the world is represented contributes to the way the world is perceived ."

And this initiative received 164 votes out of 171 voters.

It is therefore also a small symbolic rebalancing event in international representation, driven by Africa itself.

" Africa hasn't gotten bigger. It's our perception of Africa that was disproportionate. "

Africa, this giant, is regaining its size for a new geopolitical vision…