The Map Was Lying To You: Why the UN Just Changed How We See Africa

The Map Was Lying To You: Why the UN Just Changed How We See Africa | United Nations News | Al Jazeera

Skip links

Skip to Content

Live

Navigation menu

* News
+ Africa
+ Asia
+ US & Canada
+ Latin America
+ Europe
+ Asia Pacific
* Middle East
* Explained
* Sport
* Opinion
* Video
* + Features
+ Economy
+ Human Rights
+ Climate Crisis
+ Investigations
+ Interactives
+ In Pictures
+ Science & Technology
+ Podcasts
+ Travel
+ Sponsored Content

Live

!explainer

The Map Was Lying To You: Why the UN Just Changed How We See Africa

NewsFeed

The Map Was Lying To You: Why the UN Just Changed How We See Africa

For 450 years, the world’s most-used map has made Africa look smaller than it really is. The United Nations just voted to change that.
Al Jazeera’s Basel Ghazoghli breaks it down and goes back 450 years to show how the map was made — and why it stuck.

Published On 8 Sep 2026

8 Sep 2026

Save

Share

More from the same show

---

* US bombs five Iranian oil tankers after its navy is attacked

Video Duration 00 minutes 33 seconds
00:33
* What we know about masked anti-migrant protesters in the UK

Video Duration 02 minutes 44 seconds
02:44
* What the UK ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements really means

Video Duration 02 minutes 29 seconds
02:29
* US forces sink vessel ‘linked to Ecuador criminal gang’

Video Duration 00 minutes 19 seconds
00:19
* Police bodycam captures Russian missile strike on Kyiv

Video Duration 00 minutes 30 seconds
00:30
* Hundreds of UK flights disrupted by air traffic control glitch

Video Duration 00 minutes 42 seconds
00:42
* Mamdani says 9/11 illnesses killed more than attacks did

Video Duration 01 minutes 05 seconds
01:05

---

* About
+ About Us
+ Code of Ethics
+ Terms and Conditions
+ EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
+ Privacy Policy
+ Cookie Policy
+ Cookie Preferences Manage preferences
+ Accessibility Statement
+ Sitemap
+ Work for us
* Connect
+ Contact Us
+ User Accounts Help
+ Advertise with us
+ Stay Connected
+ Newsletters
+ Channel Finder
+ TV Schedule
+ Podcasts
+ Submit a Tip
+ Paid Partner Content
* Our Channels
+ Al Jazeera Arabic
+ Al Jazeera English
+ Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
+ Al Jazeera Mubasher
+ Al Jazeera Documentary
+ Al Jazeera Balkans
+ AJ+
* Our Network
+ Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
+ Al Jazeera Media Institute
+ Learn Arabic
+ Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
+ Al Jazeera Forum
+ Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

!Al Jazeera Media Network logo

© 2026 Al Jazeera Media Network

Your browser does not support the audio element.

---