What different world maps get right - and what they get wrong

What the report says

The BBC reports that the UN General Assembly has backed a resolution calling for a shift away from the long-used Mercator world map toward one that shows land areas more accurately, including Africa’s true scale. The move is intended to address long-standing criticism that the Mercator projection makes some regions near the poles appear much larger, while areas around the equator, including Africa, appear smaller than they are.

According to the BBC, the adopted alternative is the Equal Earth projection, a newer map design created to better reflect the size and shape of continents. The article says the African Union had previously endorsed this projection before the UN’s decision. The BBC also notes that the change reflects a broader debate in cartography: no flat map can perfectly preserve area, shape, distance and direction at the same time.

The story provides historical context on the Mercator map, created in 1569 for maritime navigation, where straight compass lines were its key strength. It also discusses the Peters projection, another attempt to correct area distortions, while noting that it introduces major shape distortions and is not suitable for navigation. The BBC says the map debate matters because maps influence not only travel but also political and economic perceptions of regions such as Africa.