Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on global cartographic representation:

1. The resolution seeks to address perceived distortions in conventional world maps and promote more equitable representation of different regions.
2. The Mercator projection tends to exaggerate the apparent area of landmasses as their latitude increases towards the poles.
3. The resolution, having been adopted by the UNGA, automatically creates legally binding obligations for all UN member states.
4. Africa is particularly relevant to the resolution because its actual geographical area is substantially larger than its apparent size in commonly used Mercator maps.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 — Correct: The resolution focuses on improving cartographic representation and addressing regional inequities.
• Statement 2 — Correct: The Mercator projection increasingly distorts area as one moves towards the poles, making high-latitude regions appear disproportionately large.
• Statement 3 — Incorrect: UNGA resolutions are generally non-binding, except in certain matters relating to the UN's internal functioning and institutional processes.
• Statement 4 — Correct: Africa's apparent size is substantially understated relative to its actual area in Mercator maps.