Representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat sheet of paper or screen has challenged mapmakers for centuries. The fundamental problem is mathematical: it is impossible to project a three-dimensional sphere onto a two-dimensional plane without introducing some form of distortion. Every flat map must sacrifice accuracy in at least one property — area, shape, distance or direction. Recent attention on the Equal Earth projection, encouraged by a United Nations General Assembly resolution, has brought this long-standing cartographic dilemma back into public discussion.
The Earth is not a perfect sphere. It is an oblate spheroid, slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator due to its rotation. Even a physical globe, the most accurate model available, is itself an approximation. When that curved surface must be flattened for practical use in books, classrooms, navigation systems or digital displays, trade-offs become unavoidable.
The Nature of Map Projections
A map projection is a systematic method of transforming the Earth’s surface onto a plane. Cartographers have developed dozens of projections over time, each designed to preserve certain qualities at the expense of others. The choice of projection depends entirely on the intended purpose of the map.
If the goal is to measure true distances along specific routes, one projection may be suitable. If the priority is to show the relative sizes of continents accurately for population or resource studies, another is preferred. No single projection can preserve area, shape, distance and direction simultaneously across the entire globe. Attempting to do so would require the map to remain three-dimensional.
This limitation is not a failure of technique but a geometric reality. Just as an orange peel cannot be flattened onto a table without tearing or stretching, the Earth’s surface cannot be transferred to a plane without deformation.
The Familiar Distortion of the Mercator Projection
The map most people recognise is based on the Mercator projection, developed in 1569 by the Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator. It was designed for navigation. On a Mercator map, lines of constant compass bearing appear as straight lines, a property that proved invaluable for sailors. To achieve this, the projection expands distances as one moves away from the equator.
The consequence is severe area distortion at higher latitudes. Greenland appears roughly the same size as Africa, even though Africa is approximately fourteen times larger. Antarctica and northern regions of North America and Eurasia are greatly enlarged, while equatorial landmasses appear relatively smaller than their true proportions. Countries near the poles are stretched, and the visual impression of global geography is skewed toward higher latitudes.
Despite these shortcomings, the Mercator projection remains widely used, particularly in web mapping applications, because of its useful navigational properties and rectangular format that fits screens and pages conveniently.
Equal-Area Alternatives and the Equal Earth Projection
In response to the visual biases of the Mercator projection, cartographers have long developed equal-area projections. These maps ensure that the relative sizes of landmasses are preserved correctly. One well-known example is the Gall-Peters projection, which accurately shows area but significantly distorts the shapes of continents, making them appear stretched or compressed.
The Equal Earth projection, introduced in 2018 by cartographers Bojan Šavrič, Tom Patterson and Bernhard Jenny, aims for a more balanced compromise. It is an equal-area projection that maintains the correct relative sizes of continents while reducing some of the extreme shape distortions found in earlier equal-area designs. Its overall appearance is more familiar and aesthetically closer to popular compromise projections such as the Robinson, yet it prioritises accurate area representation.
This makes the Equal Earth projection particularly suitable for thematic maps showing population distribution, climate patterns, land use or resource allocation — contexts in which the true size of regions matters more than perfect shapes or navigational convenience.
The United Nations Resolution
In September 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution encouraging the use of the Equal Earth projection and other equal-area methods. The resolution received support from 164 member states. It highlighted concerns that long-standing use of the Mercator projection has contributed to distorted perceptions of the relative importance and scale of different regions, particularly Africa and other equatorial areas.
The resolution does not ban other projections or impose mandatory requirements. It encourages member states, international organisations and relevant entities to adopt equal-area approaches where the accurate representation of landmass sizes is important. The move reflects a broader recognition that maps shape how people understand the world, and that choices about projection carry educational, cultural and even geopolitical implications.
Practical Realities and Ongoing Trade-offs
Even the Equal Earth projection is not free of distortion. Shapes are altered to some degree, particularly near the poles, and it is not ideal for precise distance or direction measurements. Digital mapping platforms continue to rely heavily on variants of the Mercator projection because of their technical advantages in interactive navigation and tiling systems.
The practical lesson is that maps should be chosen according to purpose and should ideally state the projection used. A map designed for sailors differs from one intended for classroom lessons on global inequality or for scientific visualisation of climate data. Understanding the limitations of any given projection allows users to interpret the information more critically.
Conclusion
Flat maps remain indispensable tools. They are portable, easy to reproduce and effective for communication. Yet they can never fully replicate the geometry of the Earth. Every projection involves deliberate choices about what to preserve and what to sacrifice. The renewed interest in the Equal Earth projection underscores a desire for representations that better reflect the true relative sizes of continents and countries.
The most accurate way to visualise the planet remains a globe. When a flat map is required, awareness of its inherent distortions is essential. Whether using the familiar Mercator, the Equal Earth or another projection, the key is recognising that the image on the page or screen is always an approximation — useful, informative, but never complete.
Read more – amazonsalesday.org