Facebook is trying to help change that by creating a high-resolution population density map for nearly the entire continent of Africa.

Advocacy groups in Africa have launched a campaign to replace the Mercator map, which distorts Africa's size by making it seem smaller.

A growing campaign backed by the African Union is urging schools and organizations to replace the Mercator projection with a modern map that shows Africa’s true size.

Map Africa data will be licensed to national governments, enabling ownership and long-term updating by National Mapping Agencies.

Advocacy groups in Africa have launched a campaign to replace the Mercator map, which distorts Africa's size by making it seem smaller.