The UN General Assembly voted for a new world map. Togo presented the plan, and African Union countries supported it. A total of 164 countries voted yes. The United States voted no, and six countries did not choose a side. France and the UK voted yes.

The old Mercator map has been common since 1569. It makes places near the North and South Poles look too big. It also makes Africa look about the same size as Greenland. In fact, Africa is 14 times larger. A newer map, called Equal Earth, shows the real size of each continent more clearly.

The vote does not make a new law. However, the UN and other groups may start using the Equal Earth map. The African Union’s 54 countries already chose this map in February. Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said a fair map is important. France also said it will stop using the Mercator map.