The world in which we live can appear quite different when viewed through the lens of a map. Some show the immensity of countries and continents, while others show the reality of the criminal activity that occurs in our small neighborhoods. These are the maps that weren’t included in any of your high school geography classes, so prepare to be surprised! On the other hand, we’re willing to put money on the fact that you’ll develop a fresh outlook on the world…
Maps That Will Change Your View Of The World
A Standard Map
We have all been accustomed to looking at maps that look very much like this one. As an illustration, for instance, students may sketch the borders of each country or indicate various mountain ranges. When looking at this map, does it not seem like it would be impossible to gain a true feel of anything?
A Standard Map
The True Size Of Greenland
When we look at maps like the one you just did, we have a tendency to get the idea that Greenland is really large — we’re talking about the size of the entire continent of South America when we say massive. On the other hand, when comparing the two countries’ land areas, Greenland is significantly smaller than Brazil. In contrast, the entire island of Greenland has a population of just more than 56,000 people, whereas Sao Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, has a population of more than 12 million people. Give that some time to register.
The True Size Of Greenland
Who Every State Hates
According to the comments left by this Instagram user’s followers, no matter where you live in the United States, there is at least one other state that you absolutely despise. The only exceptions to this rule are New Jersey and Hawaii, both of which seem to be exceptions to the rule. The state of California just can’t catch a break, it seems!
Who Every State Hates
France’s Longest Border Is Shared With Brazil
That wasn’t a typo on my part. On this map, you can see that France has a border with eleven different countries, the majority of which are located in Europe proper. In French Guiana, which is located in South America, it has the longest border, which is shared with Brazil.
France’s Longest Border Is Shared With Brazil
The Range Of Flamingos
We used to believe that the only place flamingos could be found was in their natural habitat, but recent discoveries have shown that they can really be found in a far wider variety of environments across the globe. Who doesn’t enjoy flamingos? This is very exciting information.
The Range Of Flamingos
An Eagle’s Flight Path
This map shows, over the course of 20 years, the route that an eagle would take to go from the Middle East to Central Asia and then down to North Africa if it were to undertake such a journey. The eagle was tracked all the way to Saudi Arabia, where it ultimately perished, using a device that was installed in Russia. It is unfathomable to believe that any living being could complete such a voyage in the course of its existence.
An Eagle’s Flight Path
Land Use Throughout The Nation
The different ways in which the land in each region of the United States is put to use are depicted on this map. As can be seen, a significant section of the nation is devoted to livestock or activities that are directly or indirectly tied to livestock (such as their food). Some of the other industries include urban housing, federal wilderness, and the logging industry.
Land Use Throughout The Nation
Your Imagination Of Texas Is Wrong
It’s been said that everything in Texas is bigger than it is elsewhere, yet it seems that Texas isn’t quite as vast as we believe it to be. At least not in comparison to the nations that constitute the continent of Africa.
Your Imagination Of Texas Is Wrong
America’s Population Density
To this extent, the total area covered by all of the red areas on this map adds up to be greater than the total area covered by the gray areas combined. When everything is taken into consideration, it should come as no surprise that most Americans gravitate toward the coasts.
America’s Population Density
DEA’s Map Of Cartel Influence In The United States
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has published its yearly National Drug Threat Assessment, which identifies the states in the United States that have been penetrated by Mexican drug gangs. According to the research, several different cartels have significant control in the majority of the states in the United States, with the Sinaloa Cartel and the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion having the most influence. The Sinaloa Cartel, Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, Cartel del Golfo, Organización de Beltrán-Leyva, and Los Rojos are all depicted on this map, in Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Chicago, New York, Florida, Kansas, Colorado, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
DEA’s Map Of Cartel Influence In The United States
Light Pollution
This map demonstrates which locations of the United States have the highest levels of light pollution. If you consider yourself to be a stargazing hobbyist, it may be advisable for you to avoid the East Coast – or, for that matter, the whole eastern half of the United States.
Light Pollution
Noise Pollution
It would appear that the eastern half of the United States is not only brighter but also noisier than the western half. If you dislike people and don’t want to be around them, you should steer clear of the eastern half of the United States and large cities in general.
Noise Pollution
A Superhighway
This map is for you if you’ve ever entertained the idea of going all the way from London to New York City in one trip. The previous president of Russian Railways oversaw the project’s conception as a single expansive expressway. When you think about it, it’s very amazing to think that almost half of the trip will be spent in Russia by itself!
A Superhighway
Places Mentioned In The Bible
Biblical academics are the target audience for this map. The New Testament was written in the first century AD, which was a time when travel was significantly more difficult than it is today. Nevertheless, it is rather intriguing to see how much knowledge individuals had about other parts of the world during this time period!
Places Mentioned In The Bible
Map Of Mars
If you’ve had enough of Earth—which, let’s be honest, is the case for all of us—then this is the map for you. This is what the surface of Mars would look like if it had the same proportion of water that Earth does. Doesn’t it appear to be pretty mountainous? Indeed, the structure that seems like a small island and is located on the western side of the map is reminiscent of a large volcano…
Map Of Mars
Mons Olympus
… In point of fact, it is Mons Olympus, the greatest volcano in our solar system. As can be seen in the illustration to the right, it is so enormous that it cannot be contained within the boundaries of the state of Arizona and it is twice as tall as Mount Everest. Can you even begin to comprehend the level of destruction that would occur if this thing went off? Or maybe we just don’t care if we find out…
Mons Olympus
The US From Alaska’s Point Of View
When it comes to maps of the United States, Alaska is nearly often an afterthought, as can be seen if you take a look at one. In most cases, it is printed very small on the reverse side of the map. It would appear that Alaskan cartographers became weary of being an afterthought and decided to design their own map, in which mainland America plays the role of an afterthought.
The US From Alaska’s Point Of View
The Closest Country To Each Part Of The US
It is common sense that the parts of the United States that are closest to Canada and Mexico, but isn’t it a little unusual that other parts of the country are closer to Kiribati, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Russia? It simply goes to demonstrate how enormous the United States of America really is!
The Closest Country To Each Part Of The US
Amazonian Forest Fires
This is a frightening map that shows all of the ongoing fires that are now raging in the Amazon rainforest, some of which are caused naturally while others are caused by humans. It is disheartening to watch one of the natural wonders of the world continue to erode over time.
Amazonian Forest Fires
Middle America’s Population
The fact that most Americans live in coastal areas is not a secret, but this map helps to put the phenomenon into context. A population that is equivalent to that of the red portion in its whole can be attributed to each of the orange sections. Therefore, the red section, commonly known as the flyover states or middle America, can be your place if you value time spent alone in the great outdoors.
Middle America’s Population
Route To All Of The Springfields
There are exactly 33 cities named Springfield in the United States; five of them are located in the state of Wisconsin alone. That does not even take into account the townships (in which case, there are 36). This is the perfect chart for you if you’ve ever entertained the notion that you could see all of them in a single vacation. It reveals the quickest way to get there.
Route To All Of The Springfields
The Mongol Empire’s Territorial Extent
Even though we are all aware that the Mongol Empire covered a large territory, the scale of that territory is brought into sharper focus by this map. Although it only existed during the 13th and 14th centuries, it is still regarded as the largest empire that ever existed on the globe. In particular, the scope of the empire as it existed in 1279 can be seen on this map. At its peak, the empire controlled a territory that was nine million square miles in size.
The Mongol Empire’s Territorial Extent
Lithuanian Magnet Map
To encourage people to visit their nation, the government of Lithuania came up with what is arguably the most creative plan that has ever been conceived to do so: they built a map of the entire country that was made entirely out of magnets, but each magnet is only available in certain locations. I’m not sure how you feel about it, but hearing it makes both of us want to go there even more. And how many people are able to say that they have been to Lithuania? One thing is certain, and that is that there are not very many.
Lithuanian Magnet Map
Places Johnny Cash Has Been in ‘I’ve Been Everywhere.’
Johnny Cash’s song “I’ve Been Everywhere” is a representation of his claims that he has traveled all over the world, including each and every location that is depicted on this map.
Places Johnny Cash Has Been In ‘I’ve Been Everywhere.’
Metric vs. Imperial
This map puts things into perspective for us, even if we are all aware of how little use the imperial system gets around the world. The only countries that make use of it at the moment are the United States of America, Liberia, and Myanmar. But at the end of the day, we owe it all to the British since they brought it over with them when they colonized the United States a couple hundred years ago. We are all in their debt for that.
Metric Vs. Imperial
Abandoned Railroads In America
The development of the railroad in 1827 was a pivotal moment in the transportation industry’s history. Given that the United States moved steadily toward the west throughout the course of the 1800s, it is not surprising to find that the majority of defunct railroads are located on the eastern side of the country, as can be shown. As the use of airplanes and vehicles became more widespread, a proportionately greater number of rail lines were discontinued as a result.
Abandoned Railroads In America
Canadians Prefer The South
We were all aware that a significant portion of Canada is rural, but were you aware that the southern half of the country is home to approximately half of the country’s population? We can only speculate, but we think that the severe winters up north discourage many people from settling there.
Canadians Prefer The South
Snow Cancellations
Depending on where in the United States you spent your childhood, snow was either a lot of fun or a lot of trouble. Even if it had snowed a foot or more the night before, you were almost certainly going to be obliged to arrive to school on time if you lived in a place that has severe winters. On the other hand, if you were to grow up in the south, even a thin dusting of snow was enough to keep you out of school for the entire day.
Snow Cancellations
Preferred Coffee Chains
In spite of the fact that “America runs on Dunkin’,” which is the motto for Dunkin’ Donuts, the following map shows that Starbucks is actually the most popular coffee chain in the United States. In point of fact, the majority of people in the United States choose Starbucks. On the other hand, residents of the state of Minnesota favor caribou, whatever that may be.
Preferred Coffee Chains
China vs. Russia
In reality, China is significantly larger than it appears to be on most maps, which makes Russia look like a mere speck in comparison. China is a formidable competitor to Russia, but Russia remains the more populous and expansive nation.
China Vs. Russia
All Of The Countries That Can Fit Inside The US
This map illustrates all of the countries that, in terms of land area, could fit within the United States, with some room left over. The United States is a very large country. As can be seen, there is a great deal.
All Of The Countries That Can Fit Inside The US