1. Why do maps matter?

Maps shape how we see the world. They influence how we think about countries, continents, and power. When a map distorts the size or shape of countries, it can reinforce stereotypes and unequal worldviews—especially when Africa is shown much smaller than it really is.

2. What are map projections and why do we need them?

A map projection is a method of representing the 3D surface of the Earth on a 2D plane (such as a map or screen). Since the Earth is a sphere (or, more precisely, an oblate spheroid), flattening it onto a map surface inevitably introduces some form of distortion.

3. What’s wrong with the commonly used world Maps?

The Earth is round, but Maps are flat. To turn a globe into a flat map, cartographers use projections. Every projection distorts something—shape, size, distance, or direction. That’s unavoidable. But some distort more than others. The most commonly accepted map adopted globally is the Mercator projection which is inaccurate. Some other types of Map Projections are:

• Mercator projection
• Gall-Peters projection
• Robinson projection
• Azimuthal projection
• Equal Earth projection

The most widely used map—the Mercator projection—was designed for navigation in the 1500s. It dramatically enlarges areas near the poles (like Europe and North America) and shrinks countries near the equator (like Africa and South America). For example, Greenland often looks the same size as Africa, but Africa is actually 14 times larger.

4. Is there a better alternative?

Yes! The Equal Earth projection is a modern map that preserves the true size of countries and continents, while maintaining a visually pleasing, rounded shape. It was designed to be both accurate and easy to understand.

5. What should we look for in a good world map?

There are two key rules:

• Preserve area: Countries should appear in their correct size relative to one another.
• Roundedness: The map should still look like a globe flattened gently—no wild stretching.

No map is perfect, but some are fairer. The Equal Earth, Gall-Peters, and other equal-area projections do a better job at showing the world truthfully.

6. How can I spot a misleading map?

Look out for these clues:

• Does Greenland look as big as Africa? That’s a red flag.
• Is Africa near the center of the map, or pushed to the side?
• Are countries near the equator unusually small?

You can explore map distortions and test projections at map-projections.net or projectionwizard.org
https://thetruesize.com/

7. What is the Correct the Map campaign asking for?

We want major institutions—governments, schools, media outlets, and development organizations—to switch to fairer, more accurate maps like the Equal Earth projection. We are also asking the African Union to pass a resolution recommending this switch across all member states.

8. How does this affect me?

An incorrect map can affect you in various ways:

• It can affect how people see global power, making some countries seem more dominant than they are.
• Can cause misconceptions in travel, making Africa look farther than it is from other continents.
• Investors may underestimate Africa’s economic potential if they subconsciously view it as “smaller” or “less significant.”
• Many students grow up learning an inaccurate version of geography, which can influence how they understand history, politics, and global affairs.

9. How can I get involved?

• Sign the petition
• Share corrected maps with your networks
• Join our upcoming events, including a planned gathering in Addis Ababa
• Spread the word using the hashtag #CorrectTheMap
• Contact us if you’d like to co-create educational posters, booklets, or story maps.

10. Who supports this campaign?

We are working with geographers, educators, designers, and African institutions, including Africa Geoportals. If you’d like to lend your expertise or join our network, we’d love to hear from you.

11. Where can I read more about this issue?

You can explore deeper insights, expert opinions, tools, and visual resources on our Resources page. It’s a great starting point for anyone who wants to understand the history, politics, and power of maps—and how we can change the narrative.