@rnb4ever_0: Africa covers roughly 30.3 million square kilometres—about 14 times the size of Greenland and large enough to accommodate the United States, China, India, Japan, and much of Europe combined. Yet on many familiar world maps, Africa appears much smaller than it really is. A major reason is the Mercator projection, introduced in 1569. Because it enlarges areas closer to the poles, it significantly distorts the apparent size of continents, making regions such as Greenland and Europe look far larger relative to Africa than they actually are. The Equal Earth projection, an equal-area map designed to show continents in more accurate proportions, offers a different perspective. A UN General Assembly resolution endorsing the projection reportedly passed with 164 countries in favour and six abstentions. The United States was the only country to vote against the resolution, arguing that discussions over map projections could distract from more pressing diplomatic priorities. Beyond the politics, the debate highlights an important point: maps don’t just show us the world—they can shape how we perceive it. And when it comes to Africa, that perception can be dramatically different from reality. Video credit: @mapsafrican #delloafrica

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Sunday 06 September 2026 08:55:22 GMT