African Union supports new world map that shows correct sizes of countries
Listen to the story (American accent)
The African Union is supporting a new campaign called "Correct the Map." The goal is to stop governments and international organizations from using the Mercator map of the world. The Mercator map was created in the 16th century. The campaign wants to use a new map that shows Africa's real size.
The Mercator map was made to help sailors navigate. However, it makes continents look the wrong size. It makes areas near the North and South Poles, like Greenland and North America, look bigger. It also makes Africa and South America look much smaller.
A leader from the African Union, Selma Malika Haddadi, said the Mercator map gives a false idea that Africa is not important. But Africa is the second-largest continent in the world. It has over one billion people and 55 countries in the African Union.
The campaign, started by groups Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa, asks organizations to use the Equal Earth map. This map was created in 2018 and shows the correct size of countries.
Fara Ndiaye from Speak Up Africa said this old map can affect how African children feel about their identity and pride.
The Mercator map is still widely used, including by schools and tech companies.
The African Union will encourage its member countries to use the new map in their schools and government offices. The campaign also hopes that big organizations like the World Bank and the United Nations will use the Equal Earth map.
The African Union believes this campaign can help Africa get its rightful place in the world.
Vocabulary28 words
- The African Union (AU)
- 55 countries in Africa that work closely together
- Support
- to agree with a person or idea; to approve of an idea; promote; to help
- Campaign
- A planned group of activities to reach a goal
- Called
- Named; To give something a name
- Goal
- aim or purpose; objective; target; something you want to achieve or complete
- Government
- the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- Organization
- a group of people with one purpose; an agency; a society; company
- 16th century
- the years 1500 to 1599
- Century
- a period of 100 years
- Sailor
- A person who works on a boat or ship
- Navigate
- To find a way to get somewhere; to find your way to a place
- Continent
- A really big piece of land, like Africa or Asia; there are seven continents in the world (six in some teachings)
- Pole
- The very top or bottom point of something, like on the Earth; the cold areas at the top and bottom of the Earth
- Leader
- someone who is in charge of a group, organization or country; a boss or manager; a person who guides, directs, or commands a group
- False
- not true; not correct
- Billion
- 1,000,000,000 = one-billion; (bn)
- Group
- two or more people/companies that work together for a reason
- Affect
- to have an influence on or to change something;
- African
- Related to or from the continent of Africa;
- Identity
- Who a person is and what makes them unique
- Pride
- A feeling of being happy about yourself or your group; a feeling of happiness and satisfaction because you have done something good or completed something difficult
- Widely
- In many places or by many people
- Including
- together with; as well as; part of a group or many; plus
- Tech company (technology)
- a company that makes new technology or software; a company with digital services or products
- Encourage
- suggest that someone does something; persuade; urge; push
- Member
- Someone who is a part of/belongs to a group;
- Believe
- to think; to imagine; to have the opinion of; assume; suppose
- Rightful
- Something that is correct or deserved
Quiz
Answer key
1. To help sailors find their way on the sea. 2. — 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The African Union is _____ a new campaign called "Correct the Map." The goal is to _____ governments and international _____ from using the Mercator map of the world. _____ Mercator map was created in the 16th century. The _____ wants to use a new map that shows Africa's real _____ .
The Mercator map was _____ to help sailors navigate. _____ , it makes continents look the wrong size. It makes areas _____ the North and South Poles, like Greenland and North _____ , look bigger. It also makes Africa and South America look _____ smaller.
A leader from the African Union, Selma Malika Haddadi, _____ the Mercator map gives a false idea that Africa is not important. But _____ is the second-largest continent in the world. It has _____ one billion people and _____ countries in the African Union.
The campaign, started by groups Africa No Filter _____ Speak Up Africa, asks organizations to use the Equal Earth map. _____ map was created in 2018 and shows the correct _____ of countries.
Fara Ndiaye from Speak Up Africa said _____ old map can affect how African children feel about their _____ and pride.
The Mercator map is still widely _____ , including by schools and tech companies.
The African Union _____ encourage its member countries to use the new map in their _____ and government offices. The campaign also _____ that big organizations like the World Bank and the United Nations _____ use the Equal Earth map.
The African Union believes this campaign can help Africa get its rightful place in the _____ .
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?
- How can a map give a "false idea" about a place? Can you give an example?
- The Mercator map is better for navigating and directions, the Equal Earth map shows the real size of countries. Which is more important? Why?
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