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30 Fascinating Maps You Don’t See In School, As Shared On This Online Group (New Pics)
Interview With Expert
Where would we be without maps? After all, they don’t just exist to help us find directions, although that is an important and noble task, they can also be used to help contextualize important details about the world around us. Data can appear dry, boring and downright painful to look through until it is “mapped” onto a place our brains can understand.
This page shares interesting, cool and novel maps that might just teach you something new about the world. We got in touch with Richard Layman, a urban/commercial district revitalization, transportation advocate and consultant in Washington, DC to learn more. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and comments your thoughts below.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Authentic Geological Map Of Scotland
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#2
Friendly Reminder Of How Ridiculously Big The Pacific Ocean Is
#3
Map Of Armenian Genocide And Deportation From The Ottoman Empire. It Started 109 Years Ago Today
Bored Panda got in touch with Richard Layman, a urban/commercial district revitalization and transportation advocate and consultant in Washington, DC to learn more about city planning and the data needed to make good decisions. First and foremost, we wanted to hear some common misconceptions he has encountered as part of this role.
“People often don't understand the difference between capital and operating funding. The solution to homelessness is actually simple. Build more housing and provide support services as needed. What the problem is is coming up with the money. E.g. Salt Lake County needs at least 2 billion to build what is required and 150 million per year for services, for 5,000 people. But the population is not static, demand will only grow. Plus that people don't want housing for severely needy people to be located nearby.”
#4
Climate Of Australia Compared To The World
#5
People’s Common Reaction When You Start Speaking Their Language
Eastendbird 6 months ago
I think I've told this story before but a friend of mine sent a love letter to her French boyfriend, in French, and he sent it back to her with the grammar corrected. So that tracks with the French reaction...
#6
Earthquake Risk In Europe
He also had some suggestions for urban development advocates. “When advocating, don't use examples from Europe or Portland/far away states. The elected have a hard time with that. Use best practice examples closer to home. Relatedly, while every place is unique, few are so exceptional that they can't be compared to and learn from other places.”
#7
Percentage Of Children Born Out Of A Registered Marriage
#8
Brazil Overlaid Onto Europe
#9
Average Speed Of Trains In Europe
“I argue that the point of planning and zoning is to improve quality of life. When it doesn't do that routinely it's an indicator that the processes are flawed. And, developers are the leads, not planners. Plans shape what can be done, but only with vision. And elected officials listen to developers a lot more than planners.”
#10
U.S. Counties Where The African American Population Is 25% Or More
#11
How Safe Do People Feel To Walk Alone At Night In Europe (2024)
PFD 6 months ago
It's really important with this dataset to recognise it is purely about *feelings* not *actual risk*. I've seen so many headlines about how this country or that is sliding down the safety league table etc and when I've followed up on the data, the crime rates rarely track the perceptions. Much more to do with political and media narratives, esp around immigration.
#12
Countries With Most Unesco World Heritage Sites 🏰
“The land use bar has a lot of power. Plans are usually based on past conditions so they build for yesterday when today and tomorrow have different demands. Most zoning is use based, and "matter of right" meaning as long as it meets minimum requirements it has to be approved. Lots of crap is approved and built. And not coordinated with other nearby build out opportunities. Losing the opportunity for multiplicative benefits.”
#13
Which Countries Have Been Female LED?
#14
How Many Years An Area Has Been Rules By The Roman Empire
#15
Home Ownership In European Countries (2022)
Crouching hippo hidden panda 6 months ago
I’m not sure how recent this data is, it certainly isn’t this high for Gen-z. It would be interesting to see the generational statistics
City planners spend a lot of time looking at maps, but we wanted to hear, in his words, what are the things they aim to accomplish. “Stephen Semes writes about the importance of "the architecture of the ensemble." Our planning and zoning processes aren't designed to produce or maintain "nice” places.”
#16
First World War Casualties Mapped
#17
If 100 People Lived In The Eu, Where Would They Live?
#18
Crazy To Think How Popular European Cities Are
“This is true for both residential and commercial areas. Developers only have to care about their lot. Not connecting to and strengthening the broader district,” he shared. If you want to see more of his work, you can explore Richard’s blog where he writes about his thoughts and experiences.
#19
Gay Travel Index 2024
Jrog 6 months ago
The red dot on Vatican City is ridiculous. Sure, they have religious issues with that but there is no actual risk for travelers. Con the contrary, China, Japan and India should have been much further on the purple side.
LaserBrain 6 months ago
Pretty sure Japan is on the green side for anybody, gay or not
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Tempest 6 months ago (edited)
From Reddit: “turns out this map is incorrectly titled. The statistic would have the rating as 'the legal situation and living conditions' (not just safety) for gay people living in the country, not just travelers.” Countries are rated across 18 different categories and the total added up. It’s way more than just “unsafe for travellers”. For anyone interested in this map in an interactive version check this link. The above graphic wasn’t clear enough to view all countries so I stumbled upon this interactive version on Reddit. You can see the scoring across each category for any country. https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/adam.kieli.ski/viz/GayTravelIndex2024/GayTravelIndex2024_1
David 6 months ago
If you look at the map on the website with the zoom in, Gaza and West Bank are dark red, Israel is a bluish-green
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Farah the Turtle 6 months ago
oh yea Egypt is bad for queer ppl. At least dont show anything about being lgbt bc u could go to jail for it (Im being serious)
Nimitz 6 months ago
Canada should not be an even colour. It should be grey/red in Alberta/Sask. Trust me, I'm gay and I grew up there... It is NOT safe to be gay in AB right now
BarBeeGirl 6 months ago
I’m so sorry to hear that. These friggen conservatives just want to ruin everyone’s lives. They must be so miserable in their own lives
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Pigeonvonbirb 6 months ago
My country is so small, its difficult to discren but its somewhere in the grey area, I suppose
Guess Undheit 6 months ago
I question the ranking for the Philippines. There's a disparity between city and country. I've been there and both myself and other foreigners haven't seen any hostility in Manila or other big cities, nor do Filipinas and Filipinos we've talked to.
Roan The Demon Kitty 6 months ago
I've been to some of the red countries, you'll be fine if you don't flaunt it.
#20
Witch Hunt Victims
#21
The Average Temperature Of The Coldest Month In Each European Capital City
#22
When/Where Can You Legally Drink In India?
#23
Number Of Referendums Held In Each Country's History
Jrog 6 months ago (edited)
Switzerland uses a lot the referendum system, even for ordinary things; it's a very direct form of decision, and parties are not so much ideologically divisive as in other places. Italy also requires them for changes that have an effect on the constitution or that are culturally sensitive.
#24
A Map Of Europe By Each Nation's Most Iconic Artwork
Chewie Baron 6 months ago
Albania: Holy Mary holding Baby Jesus in her right arm, Andorra: Apse fresco of Sant Miquel d'Engolasters church, Austria: The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, Belarus: The Fiddler by Marc Chagal, lBelgium: The Son of Man by René Magritte, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mountain landscape by Karlo Mijić, Bulgaria: Rachenitsa Dance by Ivan Mrkvička, Croatia: Roman Woman Playing A Lute by Vjekoslav Karas, Cyprus: Couple by Stelois Votsis, Czech Republic: The Absinthe Drinker by Viktor Oliva, Denmark: The Little Mermaid, Estonia: Half Nude in Striped Skirt by Adamson-Eric, Finland: The Wounded Angel by Hugo Simberg, France: Sunrise by Claude Monet, Germany: Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich, Greece: Venus de Milo, Hungary: The Old Fisherman by Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka, Iceland: Thingvellir by Thorarinn B. Thorlaksson, Ireland: Three Studies of Lucian Freud by Francis BaconI, taly: Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, Latvia: After Church by Janis Rozentāls,
#25
One Party States
#26
Top Countries With Most Gold Reserves
#27
Countries That Have Similar Gdps To Each Region Of Germany (2022)
Jess Smith 6 months ago
I bet I could trace East vs West Germany from those regions...not perfectly of course but it could be a decent map.
#28
Eurovision - "Who Gave Us The Most Points In The Last 20 Years?"
#29
Map Shows Europe Is Divided Into 4 Regions Based On Origins Of The Word Beer
![Is Egypt Ruled By Egyptians? [oc]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/662f5d13a165c_6pemlrgqnowc1-png__700.jpg "Is Egypt Ruled By Egyptians? [oc]")
![The Official Situation In Ukraine, According To The Russian Federation [oc]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/6646bfab77504_w3s9sgttqt0d1-png__700.jpg "The Official Situation In Ukraine, According To The Russian Federation [oc]")
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What do you think ?
Julie S 6 months ago
When looking at these maps previously I realised embarrassingly I hardly knew any countries in Europe. So I have been learning them recently and I'm pleased to say I can now look at a map and name all the European countries.
Tempest 6 months ago
Me too! I have a map of Europe in my favourites folder. When I see these unlabelled maps I try to figure out the country on my own and refer to my saved map when I fail to recall the name. For anyone else trying this I’ll recommend that you use a map of all the countries labelled. Very few maps include the smaller nations like Vatican City, Monaco, San Marino, etc. I’m also trying to learn the capitals of countries from continent to continent. Currently in Asia and some capitals are so difficult to even pronounce!
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Pigeonvonbirb 6 months ago
I have come upon the realisation that I reffered to the world map way too many times. I may need to revise my geography
Julie S 6 months ago
When looking at these maps previously I realised embarrassingly I hardly knew any countries in Europe. So I have been learning them recently and I'm pleased to say I can now look at a map and name all the European countries.
Tempest 6 months ago
Me too! I have a map of Europe in my favourites folder. When I see these unlabelled maps I try to figure out the country on my own and refer to my saved map when I fail to recall the name. For anyone else trying this I’ll recommend that you use a map of all the countries labelled. Very few maps include the smaller nations like Vatican City, Monaco, San Marino, etc. I’m also trying to learn the capitals of countries from continent to continent. Currently in Asia and some capitals are so difficult to even pronounce!
Load More Replies... Pigeonvonbirb 6 months ago
I have come upon the realisation that I reffered to the world map way too many times. I may need to revise my geography
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