With GPS, we often don’t think about maps too often! Despite a sharp downtick in paper maps, these photos might cause you to think about the world differently than you did before! Life is about perspective, and these maps are a reminder that perspectives are sometimes weird!

1. Bald Eagles

This map shows us occupied Bald Eagle nests in Wisconsin in 1974 vs. 2019! This is a HUGE win for conservationists and is mostly due to the Clean Water Act and other measures to protect the environment. Point, Mother Nature!

2. Another eagle?

This eagle is quite the traveler! It doesn’t look like Customs and Borders applies to this eagle all that much. This is a map of one over the course of 20 years. Quite the life!

3. World tour?

Some stereotypes are funny AND true. This map shows what a band really means when they announce a “World Tour”. Take a few seconds to look through it and have a chuckle.

4. Japan’s true size

Whenever we see somethings “true size,” it’s usually surprising. Take this example of Japan! You think of it as a somewhat smaller country, but this photo shows us that it would actually stretch from Cuba all the way to Nova Scotia!

5. Map from New Zealand’s vantage

Ready to be disoriented? Look at this map. If we all looked at maps as if New Zealand was the center of the world, it would look like this. Lord of the Rings was filmed here, so maybe it is the middle of the earth (get the joke)?

6. Europe’s Cheeses

Europe is often known for its food and drink culture. This shows it’s “culture” culture! Each one of these icons shows an area that is known for a special cheese that is made there.

7. 10% of the world

Each of these little lines is 10% of the world’s population! It is wild to see just how small North America is when it comes to population. The Smallest areas are in Asia and India.

8. USA (but from Alaska)

You know how Alaska and Hawaii are always little boxes off to the side of the country on most maps? Well, this image is if that was flipped. Alaska is the big deal here! That little square on the bottom is just an afterthought.

9. Literally NO body

See that red line? 50% of all Canadians live south of that. The rest of the country contains the other half of the population. That’s an absolutely massive area.

10. Countries in the Bible

The countries in red are ones that are mentioned or referred to in the Bible. Italy and some of Europe are mentioned mostly in the New Testament since that was during Israel’s Roman occupation.

11. Longest possible train route.

While most people in the US don’t ride on trains that often, this route would make up for the lack! This is the longest possible train route you could take. It starts in what looks like Vietnam and ends up in Portugal.

12. Where penguins live

Most people imagine the North Pole and imagine penguins, polar bears, and Santa. In reality, only the polar bears live up there! Penguins only live in the southern hemisphere.

13. Topographic render of Europe

This 3D rendering of Europe looks incredible. You can see the Alps north of Italy as the highest peaks in Europe. Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the range. In the north, we can see the Fjords in Norway!

14. It had to happen

We always see Australia comparisons on social media. Often they are jokes with people putting Africa, Asia, and the moon inside its borders. This one is a bit more realistic. Despite its size, most of the country is an inhospitable desert.

15. Animal Migration

This beautiful map shows animal migration across North America! Each line is a specific route taken, and most of them follow the Appalachian trail, coming south in the winter when food is scarce and returning north in the summer.

16. Worlds smallest country

The red outline is the largest country in the world (the Vatican city-state). The map shows the city laid out on the world’s fourth-largest building, the Aalsmeer Flower Auction. Just look at that parking!

17. A wet Mars

If Mars were covered in a similar amount of water as earth, it would look like this! It looks incredibly unfamiliar, but I would be down to go! With water and a decent atmosphere, who knows what kind of life might spring up!

18. Super Highway

Ever wanted to drive to London – but through Russia? With this proposed super-highway, you could do just that. The former President of Russian Railways originally proposed it.

19. Decline of Irish speakers

This map is unfortunate to see. Over 200 years, the amount of native Irish speakers has dropped to near-extinction. Most of the decline was due to internal war and famine.

20. World CO Emissions

Looking at this map, it’s clear that China is the worst offender for CO emissions! Unfortunately, poorer and developing countries often need to use “cheaper” and “dirtier” fuels to get to a point where they can even think about clean energy.

Conclusion

Maps are a great way to have a different look at the world we live in. They are more than just things we use to get around; they are a way to measure and see the earth and its people!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Shareably, Reddit