The United Nations has voted for a shift away from 16th-century Mercator global map towards one more accurately reflecting countries’ true size, a resolution sponsored by African states to counter perceptions that the continent is peripheral.

The U.N. has backed a new map showing Africa in its true relative size, with the U.S. standing alone in opposition.

Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe UN General Assembly is set to vote on an African Union-backed resolution urging the world to move away from the traditional Mercator…