African Union supports new world map that shows correct sizes of countries – EASY

The African Union is helping with a new project. It is called “Correct the Map.” The project wants people to use a new map of the world. This new map shows Africa’s real size.

The old map is called a Mercator map. Some countries look the wrong size. It makes Greenland look very big. It makes Africa and South America look very small.

Some people say that the old map makes Africa seem unimportant. But Africa is very big. It is the second-biggest continent. It has more than one billion people. The African Union has 55 countries.

Now, the African Union wants people to use the Equal Earth map. This map is new. It shows the correct size of countries.

The Mercator map is still used in many places, like schools.

The African Union will ask its countries to use the new map. They also want big groups like the United Nations to use the new map.

Vocabulary

• The African Union (AU) – 55 countries in Africa that work closely together
• Project – A planned and organized task or job; A planned piece of work that has a specific purpose; A big task or job that needs planning and effort
• Called – Named; To give something a name
• Map – A picture of the world, a country or a city; a picture that shows roads and how to go somewhere; 🗺
• Show – To display or present something; to share; to let people see something
• Seem – to look; to appear to be; it looks like;
• Unimportant – not important; not special
• Continent – A really big piece of land, like Africa or Asia; there are seven continents in the world (six in some teachings)
• Billion – 1,000,000,000 = one-billion; (bn)
• Group – two or more people/companies that work together for a reason

Discussion Questions

• Do you think it is important for a map to show the correct size of countries? Why or why not?
• Have you seen the Mercator map before? What did you think about it? How about the Equal Earth map?
• The old map makes Africa look small. How do you think this makes people in Africa feel?
• Do you think all schools should use the new map? Why?
• What do you think is the best way to tell people about the new map?
• The Mercator map is better for navigating and directions, the Equal Earth map shows the real size of countries. Which is more important? Why?

• English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
• English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.

Original Story

www.theguardian.com

African Union joins calls to end use of Mercator map that shrinks continent’s size

Member states back Correct the Map campaign that urges governments and organisations to use more accurate map

Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice

The _____ Union is helping with a new project. It is _____ “Correct the Map.” The project wants _____ to use a new map of the world. This new map _____ Africa’s real size.

The old map is called a Mercator map. _____ countries look the wrong size. It makes Greenland _____ very big. It makes Africa and _____ America look very small.

Some people say _____ the old map makes Africa seem unimportant. _____ Africa is very big. It is the second-biggest continent. It _____ more than one billion people. The African Union has _____ countries.

Now, the African Union wants _____ to use the Equal Earth map. This map is _____. It shows the correct size of countries.

_____ Mercator map is still used in many places, like _____.

The African Union will ask its _____ to use the new map. They also want big groups like the United Nations _____ use the new map.