#AfricanUnion Joins Calls To End Use Of @Mercator Map That Shrinks Continent’s Size
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/15/african-union-true-size-world-map-replace-mercator-version <-- shared media article
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[just a reminder that the Mercator projection was developed in 1569 for use in marine navigation, so as to utilise “rhumb line[s],… a path on the Earth's surface that crosses all meridians of longitude at the same constant angle, allowing for a steady compass bearing to be followed.” (this is most specifically NOT pedantry!)
Glad that the suggested projection to make – rightly – the size of Africa be accurately represented is Equal Earth (https://equal-earth.com/, 4th figure) - rather than the (1) gross shapes distortion and (2) (erroneous) ‘socially concerned groups’ baggage that has been attached to the Gall-Peters projection]
#GIS #spatial #mapping #Africa #size #truesize #accurate #representation #stereotypes #CorrectTheMap #marine #navigation #campaign #equalearth #projection #shape #mapprojection #education #continent
#AfricaNoFilter #SpeakUpAfrica