The resolution pushes for countries to adopt the Equal Earth projection rather than the traditional Mercator projection, which was created in 1569 by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator.
The Mercator projection accurately depicts the shapes and angles of landmasses, necessary for shipping, but distorts their relative sizes.: landmasses near the Earth's poles appear larger while those near the equator look smaller. This makes Greenland appear about as big as Africa, despite the African continent being about 14 times larger.
Togo's Dussey said his country aims to replace the maps used in its schools by the end of the year.
The Mercator projection's use is a result of colonization, Dussey said, adding, "The world is changing. Africa also is changing."
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