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.
#1 Authentic Geological Map Of Scotland
Image credits: Jefferies_
#2 Friendly Reminder Of How Ridiculously Big The Pacific Ocean Is
Image credits: Thin-Pool-8025
#3 Map Of Armenian Genocide And Deportation From The Ottoman Empire. It Started 109 Years Ago Today
Image credits: WheatBerryPie
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 People’s Common Reaction When You Start Speaking Their Language
Image credits: languageseu
#5 Climate Of Australia Compared To The World
Image credits: ellatino230
#6 Earthquake Risk In Europe
Image credits: Intelligent_Store0
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
Image credits: orange_caterp319
#8 U.S. Counties Where The African American Population Is 25% Or More
Image credits: VisibleSalt3
#9 Average Speed Of Trains In Europe
Image credits: Individual-Sun-9426
“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 Brazil Overlaid Onto Europe
Image credits: MaconheiroSafadao
#11 Which Countries Have Been Female LED?
Image credits: heynishant
#12 How Safe Do People Feel To Walk Alone At Night In Europe (2024)
Image credits: dazedeu
“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 If 100 People Lived In The Eu, Where Would They Live?
Image credits: Mister_Barman
#14 Countries With Most Unesco World Heritage Sites ?
Image credits: Kebida96
#15 Witch Hunt Victims
Image credits: Yellowapple1000
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 Home Ownership In European Countries (2022)
Image credits: Individual-Sun-9426
#17 How Many Years An Area Has Been Rules By The Roman Empire
Image credits: sentenza63
#18 Gay Travel Index 2024
Image credits: No_Discussion6913
“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 Crazy To Think How Popular European Cities Are
Image credits: Acrobatic-River-5596
#20 First World War Casualties Mapped
Image credits: Fevercrumb1649
#21 The Average Temperature Of The Coldest Month In Each European Capital City
Image credits: Tour-Sure
#22 A Map Of Europe By Each Nation's Most Iconic Artwork
Image credits: HansLanda77
#23 Number Of Referendums Held In Each Country's History
Image credits: UnusualTeam
#24 One Party States
Image credits: Lionroarer
#25 Top Countries With Most Gold Reserves
Image credits: CareerWest
#26 Countries That Have Similar Gdps To Each Region Of Germany (2022)
Image credits: DATI162838
#27 When/Where Can You Legally Drink In India?
Image credits: Anshu27reddit
#28 Eurovision - "Who Gave Us The Most Points In The Last 20 Years?"
Image credits: mktek34
#29 Map Shows Europe Is Divided Into 4 Regions Based On Origins Of The Word Beer
Image credits: Tartar666
#30 People With Double Jobs In The European Union
Image credits: quindiassomigli
