Does the Equal Earth map really change Africa's size on the world stage?
The UN endorsed the Equal Earth projection to display landmasses more fairly by reducing Mercator distortions that exaggerate polar regions and make Africa appear smaller. Cartographers say it’s better for education and policy, but navigation and global adoption remain voluntary, requiring changes to textbooks, media and maps; geopolitical debates (e.g., Crimea) illustrate how map choices intersect with politics, though a universal switch would require coordinated investment and effort.