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Since the last time we wrote about Terrible Maps, a project that is dedicated to sharing maps no one asked for or needs, they've kept themselves rather busy. So it's only natural we created a follow-up article about the cartographers who are so bad, they're actually good. After all, what is the Internet for if not to poke fun at politics and our geographical illiteracy?
From hilarious guides on how to find the state of Kentucky to showing how many Switzerlands fit in Brazil, continue scrolling and check out these gems and tell us which one would you hang on your office wall!
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OK. We can clearly see these are bad maps. But how to know you're looking at a good one? Brant Scheidecker, a sales engineer at Cartegraph, highlighted some of the main essentials for accurate and easily interpretable map use.
"Every map should have a title. It allows the user to assess the purpose of the map quickly; allowing them to determine if it meets their needs," Scheidecker wrote.
Next, origin. A fancy name for a compass or the North arrow. "This allows the user to determine the maps reference to the earth. While most maps these days have North being straight up, occasionally you will encounter a map that has a skewed orientation, perhaps to better fit it on the physical medium it's presented on (i.e. paper), or simply because it’s easier to interact with the map in that orientation."
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When it comes to the source, it's a two-fold element. "It allows the map maker to provide the map viewer an idea where the data the map is representing is from; a necessity in determining the accuracy of a map. It also allows the map maker a way to cite the source of their data, avoiding all those pesky cries of plagiarism and the ensuing lawsuits," Scheidecker explained. "You have better uses for your time, like ensuring the rest of the T.O.S.S.L.A.D. elements are on your maps."
Let's not forget the legend (the area where a user can determine what a particular color or symbol represents on the map). "Without a legend, a user cannot successfully interpret what your map is trying to represent, 'Does the red skull and crossbones over my favorite restaurant mean what I think it means?'"
#3
You should also know when was the map that you're analyzing made. If it was created in 1962 and shows commuter levels in Chicago—it might not be such a valid source for the traffic data you are looking for today, unless you are feeling nostalgic, Scheidecker joked.
There you have it. You may now have become a cartographic genius, but you should be able to tell if you're looking at a terrible map or not!
#9
Christophe Beunens 4 years ago
I don't understand why Iceland is not green, but Spitsbergen is
#17
karla Meixnerová 4 years ago
No surprise, if the person with this opinion is a believer, that the Earth is flat...
#21
Rabbit Carrot 4 years ago
Nah. We see a giant a*s bible for most of those middle states. Oh and guns. Lots and lots of guns.
#22
Sadie Shapiro 4 years ago
i don't even want to try saying that one. you know which one I'm talking about.
#23
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
Early Y2K problem: They had only two spaces on the form to number the counties. You don't want to live in county "00", do you? Hence, 99 tops...
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Podunkus 4 years ago (edited)
Iowa originally platted 100 counties as expected, but one of them (Bancroft County) was mostly glacial wetlands unsuitable for farming or habitation, so for jurisdictional practicality it got merged into its southern neighboring county (Kossuth County). Many squabbles, reversals and lawsuits later, by the late 1800’s Iowa settled down with the 99 counties it has today. Source: https://who13.com/news/what-ever-happened-to-iowas-100th-county/amp/
Csaba Hegedűs 4 years ago
I'm Hungarian and I just now learn there is a county named after a famous Hungarian statesman O.o
Imelikoledvõi 4 years ago
Serious question from foreigner here. Are all the counties square because there are no real natural features in Iowa? Or was it just drawn up by some civil servant who had never been there and lacked a map/imagination?
bryguy 4 years ago
I've done a little research and it seems most states and their counties that have straight lines are because the region had been inhabited primarily by indigenous people and not much was known about the local landmarks by the white folks who were establishing the boundaries. Since the US didn't have much cash to pay the soldiers who had fought in the American Revolution, War of 1812, and Indian Wars of the early 19th century, the territory was divided up into land parcels by latitude and longitude lines to be given to the veterans. You can actually see if your ancestors inherited some of these land parcels at the Bureau of Land Management here -> http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/default.aspx
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Katja Aakre Isbrekken 4 years ago
Honestly, you know its a "new" country when borders are oddly straight like that. Historically borders go with the terrain and are negotiated trough wars, with much back and forth. But of course, as we see on the Native American territories map, a natural seperation of borders looked much different. Frankly, this map angers me, and I'm appaled my own country was such a huge contribution to the systematic genocide. (1/3 of Norwegians emigrated to the American landmass when land was said to be "free"...)
JK Rowling 4 years ago
When Europeans talk about U.S. states being too boxy, just show them this pic. It's worse than you think
Kieran Markham Mccarty 4 years ago
Pottawattamie obviously needs to be wider so they can fit the name in.
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Leodavinci 4 years ago
Probably done to prevent the deadlock of a 50/50 split in politics. Even if it's only 1, there will always be a majority.
Mireia Dos 4 years ago
99 is two figures, 100 is 3 figures. I'm sure some form with limited space was responsible for this.
Lisa Chambers 4 years ago
Well the other county lines are very neatly organized. Hat tip to whomever did that.
Anthony Truax Jr. 4 years ago
Probably because an even number could lead to a deadlock. Imagine if they were divided 50/50 on an issue.
#28
Jayne Kyra 4 years ago (edited)
According to my dots in MS Paint over each: 132. Might be wrong, but I am not doing it again. EDIT: Did it again and Beto River is right, I missed 10 at some point. Thank you Beto!
#29
Oathbraker 4 years ago
I understand mistaking it with Iraq or Afghanistan, but how the f**k did they go to Africa and the Balkans? A couple are even in the UK, for crying out loud.
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What do you think ?
Ivo H 4 years ago
The main reason almost all of these maps are so terrible are the emoji, which (apart from they're extremely annoying) sometimes cover text.
Craig Silberman 4 years ago
I can now recognize Rokas Laurinavičius' posts after the first three entries.
Jozef Becker 4 years ago
Many of these maps would only be considered terrible from a geological point of view. A lot of them are demographic which, I find fascinating.
Jace 4 years ago
Found the anti-intellectual, liberal-hating conservative crusader who’s going to change us all by mocking us...
Load More Replies... Ivo H 4 years ago
The main reason almost all of these maps are so terrible are the emoji, which (apart from they're extremely annoying) sometimes cover text.
Craig Silberman 4 years ago
I can now recognize Rokas Laurinavičius' posts after the first three entries.
Jozef Becker 4 years ago
Many of these maps would only be considered terrible from a geological point of view. A lot of them are demographic which, I find fascinating.
Jace 4 years ago
Found the anti-intellectual, liberal-hating conservative crusader who’s going to change us all by mocking us...
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