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Admit it, once Google Earth was rolled out, you absolutely took a disproportionate amount of time checking out all the localities and areas on it to see if you can find something nostalgic, cool, or flat-out bizarre. And then Google Street View appeared and it was a game changer. Needless to say, you like maps. We’re all nerds like that.

And, well, there’s more to maps than just that. Check out these interesting takes on the US as seen from a top-down perspective, but instead of seeing vast landscapes and the occasional architectural screw-up, you see fun facts and information that might just make you smarter. I mean, it will if it’s not something you already know.

Scroll on.

#2

Tree Cover Map Of The US

Tree Cover Map Of The US

DrWendigo Report

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David Paterson
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hold on, so the USA has a large Nullarbor (ie treeless) plain in the middle? Not just Australia?

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#3

States With A Smaller Population Than Los Angeles County

States With A Smaller Population Than Los Angeles County

SwiftOryx Report

It goes without saying that the United States is a pretty big country. And, as such, there's ample opportunity to spot differences and variation on a slew of variables across the entire map.

Like, you probably never really needed to know how thick light pollution is across the US, but, hey, now you know that it’s the eastern part that’s very intense, and the western part is more or less not as polluted.

#4

More People Live Inside The Red Area Than The Grey Area

More People Live Inside The Red Area Than The Grey Area

lex52485 Report

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#6

Map Showing The Loudest And Quietest Areas In The US

Map Showing The Loudest And Quietest Areas In The US

Knight1114 Report

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ƒιѕн
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All I hear is birds and bugs, the closest I get to noise pollution is the cicadas

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And there is definitely a small contingent of people who benefit from this information—researchers, people who want to move states—it’s also there to make you look cool at parties with all that trivia you now know

All jokes aside, it’s useful to know where you’re going to live: what’s the crime rate there, how natural is the landscape, how populated it is—all of these factors are nice to know since you are deciding on moving there permanently.

#7

Countries With Bases In The USA

Countries With Bases In The USA

ActiveHelicopter6644 Report

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Petra
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is interesting. I knew that the US has bases in other countries, but I didn't know other countries had bases in the US.

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#8

If US Land Were Divided Like Us Wealth

If US Land Were Divided Like Us Wealth

mapsfactory Report

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#9

Most Oddly Named Town In Each US State

Most Oddly Named Town In Each US State

TooHigh2Die420 Report

But if that example is too specific, then maybe consider this: if you own a car, it’s likely that you use navigation on the regular. Apps like Google Maps and Waze have made it possible for people to have a bit more comfort in the car as at least you know where you’re going and why it’s taking you an extra 14 minutes to get there (darned traffic jams).

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#10

United States Population Lines

United States Population Lines

AJgloe Report

#11

US States Scaled Proportionally To Population Density

US States Scaled Proportionally To Population Density

StarboardCapsized Report

#12

Light Pollution In The United States

Light Pollution In The United States

there_is_no_try Report

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ƒιѕн
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So glad I live where this is none, I enjoy going out and looking at the stars, the moon, the milky way...

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But seeing that arrow in your navigation is one thing. There’s an entire surrounding everywhere you go—knowing what’s around us brings us comfort and safety. And you never know when a beautiful lake will be sitting right next to where you keep passing by, but never look beyond that patch of trees that disguise it, making you think it’s just more forest there. Maybe taking a bicycle might help fix that problem. But check your map first!

#13

The Most Efficient Route Between Every Springfield In The United States

The Most Efficient Route Between Every Springfield In The United States

GreenMobius Report

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Leigh
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been to Springfield oregon, the home of the Simpsons. The town has great donuts!

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#15

Average Color Of US State Based On Satellite Imaging

Average Color Of US State Based On Satellite Imaging

SnooMacarons8038 Report

Another argument for the importance of maps is the idea of seeing where you’re going, where you are, and where you’ve been. It doesn’t really have to be a literal geographical map at this point, but a literal one might work too—just think of Google Maps Timeline.

If you’re unaware, Google Maps Timeline is a monthly service by Google that sends you recaps of where you’ve been over the past month, showing how many countries, cities and places you’ve visited in retrospect.

#16

US Racial/Ethnic Diversity Map

US Racial/Ethnic Diversity Map

HtxCamer Report

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Gaming Elementalist
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm happy about Texas, but the number of people in Texas not happy about Texas makes me sad.

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#17

Most Spoken Languages In The US Beside English/Spanish

Most Spoken Languages In The US Beside English/Spanish

kvnbtl Report

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Kimbowa
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“We have languages coming into our country. We have nobody that even speaks those languages. They’re truly foreign languages. Nobody speaks them.” Trump

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Outside their practicality, maps also ground us in reality. That can be either a good or bad thing depending on a number of factors, but there’s the idea that maps remind us we all live on the same planet. Sure, there's a great divide among nations and countries in terms of social, economic and climate factors. But we’re all in this together—we’re all citizens of this world. And that’s what folks ought to focus on.

#20

Map Of The United States' 8 Million Miles Of Roads, Streets And Highways

Map Of The United States' 8 Million Miles Of Roads, Streets And Highways

SkyHawk2112 Report

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EarthGrowl
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And I have driven 2 million miles of them. The only states I have not driven every inch of Interstate in are Montana and North Dakota.

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Some might argue that maps help us stay curious. Just like a change of scenery can help us gain some perspective and learn something about ourselves and others, i.e. travel, the idea of looking at a map and plotting your next adventure might just inspire an extra bit of curiosity and make you think “hey, I’ve never heard of this place.”

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#22

How America Utilizes Its Land

How America Utilizes Its Land

reddit.com Report

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Alex Boyd
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel we should be devoting at least as much land to maple syrup as we do to golf.

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#23

US Territories

US Territories

jhseeterlin Report

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TheAmericanAmerican
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No need to be an Empire of Conquered Land when you can just be the Empire of Global Capitalism. Would be nice if we actually were the "Empire" of Democracy, but unfortunately we don't live in that timeline...

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#24

The Most Dangerous Cities In The US

The Most Dangerous Cities In The US

AdAbject6946 Report

#25

Which Coffee Shops Has The Most Locations Per State

Which Coffee Shops Has The Most Locations Per State

dannywat3rm3lon Report

Lastly, maps are an integral part of how we function as human beings. There’s a geographical map (of which there are many types), a building evacuation map, a website map, a mind map, process maps, network maps, story maps, treasure maps, and, to some degree, flowcharts. Needless to say, we need all of these. Especially treasure maps.

#26

Highway Signs For Each US State And Territory

Highway Signs For Each US State And Territory

_HorseWithNoMane_ Report

#27

Red And Orange Areas Have Equal Populations

Red And Orange Areas Have Equal Populations

Cogo5646 Report

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Petra
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are we adding the orange areas together? Or is each orange area individually equal to the red area?

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#28

Origin Of US State Names

Origin Of US State Names

reddit.com Report

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Zephyr343
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So with Idaho they were just like "what is the weirdest name you can come up with?"

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#29

Air Traffic Control Zones In The USA

Air Traffic Control Zones In The USA

lucyeeliza Report

#30

Average Money Spent On Weddings In US States

Average Money Spent On Weddings In US States

Starry_Night0123 Report

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La Lucy
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WY is the only state that seems to spend a sane amount. CA is out of control!

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So, what are your thoughts on any of this? Have some maps that you were blown away by? Share them, or anything map related, really, in the comment section below!

And if you need more maps, we’ve got tons. No, that’s not an overstatement. Yep, it keeps on going. OK, that’s enough.

#31

Here’s A US Map Showing Where Horror Movies Took Place (By Andrew Brick)

Here’s A US Map Showing Where Horror Movies Took Place (By Andrew Brick)

dixi_annalis Report

#32

Purchased Territories Of The USA

Purchased Territories Of The USA

Hockputer09 Report

#33

US State Mottos

US State Mottos

Aofen Report

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Petra
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think North Dakota understood the assignment. That's way too long for a motto.

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#34

Regions Of The U.S. That Don't Officially Celebrate Christopher Columbus Day

Regions Of The U.S. That Don't Officially Celebrate Christopher Columbus Day

dips9 Report

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Kraneia The Dancing Dryad
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

South Dakota observes it, and "indigenous peoples Day" on the same day. Basically it's celebrate whichever one you want. No school, banks and post offices are closed.

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#37

The Most Popular Unisex Baby Names By US State (2020)

The Most Popular Unisex Baby Names By US State (2020)

Ganesha811 Report

#38

The Safest Cities In The US

The Safest Cities In The US

AdAbject6946 Report

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Janet Ryan
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So apparently I live in the safest town, we definitely didn’t just have a triple homicide, domestic abuse that I’m pretty sure ended in death, someone stealing a bike and returning it with a bloody shoe, and bomb threats at school, were real safe

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#39

US Pronunciation Of Pecan

US Pronunciation Of Pecan

casualiandie Report

#41

Illegality Of Women Going Topless In Public In The US

Illegality Of Women Going Topless In Public In The US

Gee-Oh1 Report

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S. E. in Indiana
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, you are telling me in all the states in white, it is not illegal? Yeah well, I think this map is a little skewed.

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#42

US Housing Shortage

US Housing Shortage

Songs4Roland Report

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Annymoose
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now change it to AFFORDABLE housing. There's no housing shortage. We're being gouged.

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#43

US Counties With GDP Over $100b

US Counties With GDP Over $100b

im_sorry_wtf Report

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EarthGrowl
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The cities. Boston, MA - Philadelphia, PA - Atlanta, GA - Miami, FL - Houston, TX- San Antonio, TX - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX - Phoenix, AZ - San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, CA - Minneapolis, MN - Chicago, IL - Detroit, MI.

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#44

Seat Belt Laws In The US

Seat Belt Laws In The US

Mangolicious786 Report

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CrunChewy McSandybutt
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After living in CA for most of my life, I feel super weird to be in a car without a seatbelt on.

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