To learn more about maps and find out how The World in Maps started in the first place, we reached out to the account's creator, Xavier Ruiz, who was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda.

"The origins of The World In Maps trace back to 2017 when, after years of being a passive user on X (formerly Twitter), I decided to become more active and build a following," Xavier shared.

"I spent time brainstorming how I could bring something unique to the platform, combining my two main passions: history and international politics, along with my love for maps," the creator explained. "This combination felt like the perfect way to present complex global issues and historical events in an accessible, visual way. Today, the X account (@xruiztru) has over 70k followers."

"In 2021, several friends suggested that the content I was posting on X could be just as successful on Instagram," Xavier continued. "Initially hesitant and not quite comfortable with the platform, I decided to give it a try in June of 2021 when I had more time at work."

"At first, I kept the Instagram page a secret from family and friends, feeling a bit embarrassed," he admitted. "However, the growth was almost immediate. The page gained momentum quickly, and now we have more than 270k followers. There are some times that we grow more than 3k followers a day!"

And it's no secret to Xavier why his account has become so popular. "The rapid success of The World In Maps is a result of the clear, visual presentation of topics like history and international politics, which resonate with a wide audience," he explained.

"I believe many people are interested in these subjects, and the visual format makes the content both engaging and easy to understand. Additionally, our ability to post about timely topics and current events has helped us stay relevant, contributing to the page’s ongoing growth."

When it comes to why maps are so fascinating, Xavier says, "They provide a unique, visual representation of the world, turning complex concepts into something tangible and easy to understand. As both a historian and a fan of international politics, I appreciate how maps offer a way to explore connections between places, events and cultures across time and space. They can tell stories, reveal hidden patterns, and even change the way we perceive the world."

"What I find particularly captivating is how maps don't just show locations but also embody the power dynamics, histories, and cultural shifts of different regions," the creator added. "Whether it’s a map tracing the reach of ancient empires or a modern political maps illustrating shifting alliances, maps serve as lenses through which we can understand the complexities of the world."

Xavier also says maps are dynamic, as they evolve the same way the world does. "Borders shift, populations change and new discoveries unfold and maps constantly reflect these transformations," he noted. "For me, they are a perfect intersection of my interests in history and global affairs, offering endless opportunities for exploration and understanding how the world once was as well as the world we live in."

So how does Xavier decide which maps to post? "I always consider current relevance. I aim to share maps that are connected to trending topics or global events, helping to explain ongoing situations in a visually engaging way," he told Bored Panda.

"For example, if a major geopolitical issue is being discussed, I might post a map that clarifies the geographic context or highlights interesting facts about the country or region involved," Xavier explained. "For historical events, I like to mark important anniversaries with the hashtag #OnThisDay, providing maps that shed light on key moments in history."

We were also curious where these fascinating maps come from. "Sometimes I find maps online that are well-designed and fit the topic at hand, and I always make sure to credit the original source. Other times, I create my own maps, adding a unique perspective or offering more in-depth analysis," Xavier shared. "Other times, I just create maps that are more like memes. When I design my own, I include the World in Maps logo, so it's clear they are original creations. This approach allows me to offer a mix of curated content and custom visuals to keep the page fresh and engaging."

Finally, we wanted to know if Xavier was partial to any of the maps he's ever shared. "One of my favorite maps that I’ve created is one showing the population density of the 'tiny' island of Java in Indonesia compared to the rest of the world," he noted.

"It’s truly fascinating how densely populated Java is—despite being just one island, it’s home to more people than many entire countries! This map is especially striking because it highlights the stark contrast between Java and other nations, making the scale of its population size even more surprising," the creator said. "The fact that Java is one of the most populous islands in the world, but still relatively small in geographical size, makes this map both eye-opening and thought-provoking."

We hope you're enjoying this list of informative and entertaining maps, pandas! Keep upvoting all of your favorites, and let us know in the comments below what kind of map you'd like to see featured on The World in Maps next. Then, if you'd like to check out even more maps that might teach you something new about our planet, look no further than right here!