A Distorted Reality: Africa's Size Misrepresented

Have you ever looked at a map and thought Greenland and Africa were about the same size? Welcome to the world of the Mercator projection, one of the most popular map styles that gives us a skewed view. The reality is staggering: you could fit a whopping 14 Greenlands inside Africa! This shocking distortion has sparked a growing campaign among African advocacy groups.

The Urgent Call for Change

The push for adopting the Equal Earth projection, which accurately reflects the true proportions of continents, is gaining serious traction. Organizations and schools are being urged to make the switch. Recently, the African Union—a diplomatic organization representing 55 member countries—added its voice to the call, marking a pivotal moment for this movement.

Historical Context: The Mercator Misconception

Developed in the 16th century by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator, this map was originally intended to aid European sailors by providing straight lines for navigation. However, its design inflates areas near the poles while drastically reducing the size of regions like Africa. As a result, it perpetuates a misleading perception of the continent, which is home to over 1.4 billion people.

Advocacy in Action: Replacing the Old Map

In April, two powerful advocacy groups—Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa—launched a campaign targeting schools and international organizations. Their goal? To replace outdated maps with the Equal Earth projection that showcases Africa’s significant size on the global stage.

Why This Matters to Everyone

Fara Ndiaye, co-founder of Speak Up Africa, puts it bluntly: "Correcting the map is not just an African issue; it speaks to truth and accuracy that affects everyone. A distorted representation shapes generations’ perceptions of Africa’s role in world affairs." It's crucial for understanding Africa's demographic and economic value to the world.

A Historic Milestone

On August 14, the African Union officially endorsed the campaign, making it the largest organization to support this initiative so far. This endorsement symbolizes significant progress in the quest for a truthful portrayal of Africa.

Geographers Weigh In: The Need for Modern Maps

According to Mark Monmonier, a geography professor from Syracuse University, the Mercator projection is outdated and should be reconsidered for modern usage. "It served a useful purpose in the 1600s for navigation, but beyond that niche use, it has no merit as a world map," he argues.

The Best Representations

While maps that curve with the Earth, like the Equal Earth projection, give a better sense of size, Monmonier cautions that bar graphs still serve as the most effective way to compare landmass sizes. He explains that comparing irregular shapes on flat maps can be misleading.

The Call to Action

Join the movement to correct our perception! Advocates are rallying for a shift in how the world views Africa. By adopting a more accurate map, we can break down the biases and acknowledge the continent's true significance on the global stage.