In 1569, Flemish mapmaker Gerardus Mercator synthesized existing ideas in navigation and cartography to create a new type of world map. It has stood the test of time: Billions of people would ...

The African Union endorsed a map that reflects the truer relative size of the continent. (map public domain via Equal Earth) Already a member? Sign in here. We rely on readers like you to fund our ...

Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story: The African Union has started an effort to oust the Mercator projection map and replace it with what it says is a more accurately drawn map. The 16 ...