The Mercator Misconception: A Long Overdue Correction The United Nations General Assembly's vote to promote the Equal Earth projection as an alternative to Mercator maps marks a significant step towards correcting centuries of geographical distortion.
In 164 countries, the resolution was approved, with only the United States opposing it and several others abstaining. For over four centuries, the Mercator projection has perpetuated a skewed view of our world.
Designed for European colonial exploration and maritime trade in the 16th century, this map type exaggerates Europe, North America, and Russia while shrinking Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.