ON
← Back to feed
The Print logo🏛️ Politics
India🏛️ PoliticsProgressive2 days ago

‘Correct the map’: Why UN has backed Africa-led push to phase out 450-yr-old 2D projection of the world

The article discusses an initiative led by African nations to replace the 450-year-old Mercator projection, which distorts landmasses in the Global South, with more accurate map projections. This effort has gained support from the United Nations, highlighting concerns over geographic representation and its impact on global perceptions. The movement argues that current maps perpetuate biases by exaggerating the size of Europe and North America while minimizing Africa and other regions. The push for change reflects broader discussions about cartographic accuracy and its implications for education, geopolitics, and cultural representation.

Advertisement

1 reports

The Print logoThe PrintIndependentProgressive2 days ago
‘Correct the map’: Why UN has backed Africa-led push to phase out 450-yr-old 2D projection of the world

The article discusses an initiative led by African nations to replace the 450-year-old Mercator projection, which distorts landmasses in the Global South, with more accurate map projections. This effort has gained support from the United Nations, highlighting concerns over geographic representation and its impact on global perceptions. The movement argues that current maps perpetuate biases by exaggerating the size of Europe and North America while minimizing Africa and other regions. The push for change reflects broader discussions about cartographic accuracy and its implications for education, geopolitics, and cultural representation.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the shift away from the Mercator projection as a necessary correction to historical and geopolitical biases, aligning with progressive critiques of Western-centric perspectives. It emphasizes the role of African leadership in this reform and highlights the United Nations' backing,

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories