ADVERTISEMENT

For many of us, cartography day in geography or history class meant a quick nap. With our eyes open, we’d dream of all the delicious stuff we were gonna eat after school, of music we’d play on the Walkman, of a message we received the other day from that cutie…

To bring back our long-lost excitement for hard pieces of data, aka maps, plans, and geographic drawings, we're gonna need to start from the very best of them. Luckily, there’s a whole online community on Reddit dedicated to the most unusual charts of geographic areas that took maps to a whole new level.

From mapping "October" in European languages to mapping an eagle’s track over a period of twenty years, these incredible examples will surely put the world into a completely new perspective.

Who knows, you may well unleash your inner cartographer and become among 1.1 million like-minded members of the maps subreddit. In that case, you may need some more cartographical goodness with 41 maps that portray lesser-known facts about America.

#1

An Image Of GPS Tracking Of Multiple Wolves In Six Different Packs Around Voyageurs National Park Shows How Much The Wolf Packs Avoid Each Other's Range

An Image Of GPS Tracking Of Multiple Wolves In Six Different Packs Around Voyageurs National Park Shows How Much The Wolf Packs Avoid Each Other's Range

john3806 Report

#2

To Increase Local Tourism, Lithuania Has Made A Map With Magnets That You Can Only Find In Corresponding Cities

To Increase Local Tourism, Lithuania Has Made A Map With Magnets That You Can Only Find In Corresponding Cities

greycoconut Report

#3

Occupied Bald Eagle Nests In Wisconsin. 1974 vs. 2019. Growth Credited To The Clean Water Act

Occupied Bald Eagle Nests In Wisconsin. 1974 vs. 2019. Growth Credited To The Clean Water Act

zstahowiak Report

To find out more about this amusing Reddit community by the name r/MapP**n, Bored Panda reached out to its creator Patrick McGranaghan, who started the subreddit in 2011 while living in Taiwan.

Patrick said he has always been a map geek: “I wanted people to share those maps so that they are easy to find and discuss.”

It turns out, he works as a land surveyor in Colorado and is a devoted member of several map societies across the nation, including the North American Cartographic Information Society, Charles Close Society for the Study of Ordnance Survey Maps, and Rocky Mountain Map Society, to name just a few.

#4

Tracking Of An Eagle Over A 20 Year Period

Tracking Of An Eagle Over A 20 Year Period

HDeo950 Report

#5

When A Band Announces A World Tour

When A Band Announces A World Tour

esloubro Report

#6

Japan, How Big It Is In Reality?

Japan, How Big It Is In Reality?

c0urso Report

Add photo comments
POST
musictheory avatar
Theodore Theodora
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, mind blown; it's literally twice as big as I'd imagined given typical maps. Thank you, person who made it!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

The creator said that the title r/MapP**n followed the trend on Reddit at the time when “there were a lot of subreddits with a *-porn suffix.” He explained further: “This refers to pictures of innocuous things like nature, architecture, or engineering marvels in a beautiful way. It was not meant to be sexual. The internet at the time was a lot more relaxed and using that term was funny.”

“In the years since the culture on the internet has taken a much more puritan bias and some people don't like that name,” Patrick said.

However, he assured us that “the goal of the brand has not changed, though: it's a place to share and discuss beautiful maps.”

#7

The Earth Being Centered On Great Britain Is Arbitrary, So Here's A Map Centered On New Zealand

The Earth Being Centered On Great Britain Is Arbitrary, So Here's A Map Centered On New Zealand

ParadoxicalCabbage Report

#8

Cheese Map Of Europe

Cheese Map Of Europe

dazzledvulture Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

The United States Of America: Alaskan Perspective

The United States Of America: Alaskan Perspective

Pariahdog119 Report

When it comes to submissions, they come in every form and style. “From historical maps showing ancient borders, to funny memes and transit maps. People also post imaginary maps of places that they create in their minds.”

In fact, every kind of map imaginable has been posted to this subreddit. Patrick said that linguistic maps are popular, as well as maps that re-imagine state and national borders. There are also maps of asteroids and maps of routes of famous explorers.

ADVERTISEMENT

“One of my favorite interactions is when a map is posted of an obscure place and someone in the comments says they live there or has a story about that place.”

#10

50 Percent Of Canadians Live South Of The Red Line

50 Percent Of Canadians Live South Of The Red Line

midlleeastcelts Report

#11

Each Section Has 10% Of The World's Population

Each Section Has 10% Of The World's Population

AppleBiryani Report

#12

List Of Countries Mentioned Or Referred In The Bible

List Of Countries Mentioned Or Referred In The Bible

Erik_John09 Report

Add photo comments
POST
nicolaroberts avatar
Nicola Roberts
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, I never knew this. Unlikely Jesus was fair skinned, blond and blue eyed....

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Patrick concluded that “Maps are a way to visualize the world in a way that is easy to grasp. They are an aid in learning about new lands and faraway places. They help us find our way when we are lost.”

Especially in a time like now, “when the pandemic prevents us from traveling, maps are a way that we can travel without leaving our home,” the map enthusiast said.

#15

Size Comparison Between Australia And The United States

Size Comparison Between Australia And The United States

AJgloe Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#16

3D Render Topographic Map Of Europe

3D Render Topographic Map Of Europe

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
linusnilsson_1 avatar
Linus Nilsson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't know there was an ice-wall between Finland and Russia!?! (Do I need to write 'Sarkasm'?)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

North America Animal Migration Routes

North America Animal Migration Routes

expatdoctor Report

#18

A Europe–U.S. Superhighway Proposed By The Former President Of Russian Railways

A Europe–U.S. Superhighway Proposed By The Former President Of Russian Railways

emilylikesredditalot Report

#19

The Surface Of Mars: If, Like Earth, 71% Of Its Surface Area Was Covered With Water

The Surface Of Mars: If, Like Earth, 71% Of Its Surface Area Was Covered With Water

crukey Report

#20

World's Smallest Country vs. Largest Building

World's Smallest Country vs. Largest Building

neilrkaye Report

#21

The Decline Of Our Native Tongue Over The Last 2 Centuries, I Find The Maps Rather Than The Reciting Of Statistics, Gives A Far Better Impression On The Overall Erosion Of One Of The Biggest Aspects Of Our Culture, Irish Itself

The Decline Of Our Native Tongue Over The Last 2 Centuries, I Find The Maps Rather Than The Reciting Of Statistics, Gives A Far Better Impression On The Overall Erosion Of One Of The Biggest Aspects Of Our Culture, Irish Itself

dumbcrow123 Report

#23

Locations Johnny Cash Claims To Have Been In "Ive Been Everywhere"

Locations Johnny Cash Claims To Have Been In "Ive Been Everywhere"

DaTingGoesSkraaa Report

#24

The Countries That Got Tea Via China Through The Silk Road (Land) Referred To It In Various Forms Of The Word "Cha". On The Other Hand, The Countries That Traded With China Via Sea - Through The Min Tan Port Called It In Different Forms Of "Te"

The Countries That Got Tea Via China Through The Silk Road (Land) Referred To It In Various Forms Of The Word "Cha". On The Other Hand, The Countries That Traded With China Via Sea - Through The Min Tan Port Called It In Different Forms Of "Te"

reddit.com Report

#25

Passenger Railway Network 2020

Passenger Railway Network 2020

TraveGeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
pseudo_puppy avatar
Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the "australia" map.... that little pink line above the "L", is actually New Zealand - a totally separate country to "Australia" (although the Aussies & Kiwis do consider themselves like "siblings" ie we are staunch rivals within sports, but stick together in defense of eachother).

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#26

What Pedestrians Look Like Across Europe

What Pedestrians Look Like Across Europe

3OxenABunchofOnions Report

#27

The Topologist's Map Of The World - A Map Showing International Borders, And Nothing Else

The Topologist's Map Of The World - A Map Showing International Borders, And Nothing Else

xilefakamot Report

#28

These Two Areas Of Africa Have Roughly Equal Populations

These Two Areas Of Africa Have Roughly Equal Populations

LlNES653 Report

#29

Roads Either Side Of The Border: Finland vs. Russia

Roads Either Side Of The Border: Finland vs. Russia

AJgloe Report

#32

My Teacher Was Excited For Our WWI Unit

My Teacher Was Excited For Our WWI Unit

Toylot5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
rainbownews avatar
Rainbow Panda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You have an awesome and dedicated teacher. 👩‍🏫 👨‍🏫

View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

World With 1000m Sea Level Drop

World With 1000m Sea Level Drop

BasedMaps Report

Add photo comments
POST
vdevriese avatar
Val
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great Britain would not be pleased to be joined to the EU again...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

A Map Of The World But It’s Just The Time Zones

A Map Of The World But It’s Just The Time Zones

H501 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#36

North American Cryptids

North American Cryptids

reddit.com Report

#37

How The Antarctic Looks Beneath The Ice

How The Antarctic Looks Beneath The Ice

reddit.com Report

#38

All The Nations That Have To Be Combined To Be Equal To Brazils Annual Homicides

All The Nations That Have To Be Combined To Be Equal To Brazils Annual Homicides

Arnmaran Report

Add photo comments
POST
nicolaroberts avatar
Nicola Roberts
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Staggering. I appreciate this done for affect, but I would be interested in Mexico's figures.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

How Much Snow Does It Usually Take To Cancel Schools?

How Much Snow Does It Usually Take To Cancel Schools?

etymologynerd Report

#40

Variations Of The Name John

Variations Of The Name John

_1_2_3_4_3_2_1_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
christian-crisetig avatar
ADHORTATOR
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In German ist would be Johann/ Johannes first, Jan and Hans are shorter versions

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

When Visiting Someone: Red - Keep Shoes On, Green - Take Shoes Off

When Visiting Someone: Red - Keep Shoes On, Green - Take Shoes Off

Report

#42

Brazil's Northernmost Point Is Closer To Every Country In The Americas Than To Brazil's Southernmost Point

Brazil's Northernmost Point Is Closer To Every Country In The Americas Than To Brazil's Southernmost Point

skan76 Report

#43

I Recorded The Last Two Months As A Pizza Delivery Guy (On Bike)

I Recorded The Last Two Months As A Pizza Delivery Guy (On Bike)

Yordrecht Report

#44

Turkey , Borders 7 Countries With 7 Different Alphabets

Turkey , Borders 7 Countries With 7 Different Alphabets

philophobist Report

#45

‘October’ In European Languages

‘October’ In European Languages

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ivoh avatar
Ivo H
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh yes, říjen. Beautiful, easy-to-pronounce word, so similar to the others... Fun fact - in czech republic, we have also listopad (same as in croatia), but it means november.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#46

There And Back Again

There And Back Again

tildenpark Report

Add photo comments
POST
thatguv avatar
ThatGuv
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have it on good authority that the Eye of Sauron is located at Mar-a-Lago...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

The Japanese Flag But The Two Colors Have The Same Population

The Japanese Flag But The Two Colors Have The Same Population

LordPhoenix99 Report

Add photo comments
POST
bojo30 avatar
slackjack
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The red zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in a white zone.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

Map Of Venus If It Has As Much Water As Earth

Map Of Venus If It Has As Much Water As Earth

Dragonite-2 Report

Add photo comments
POST
lechnerava avatar
Ani Archeron
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, now THIS looks like my dream fantasy archipelago pirate world!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#49

Percentage Of People Willing To Fight For Their Country

Percentage Of People Willing To Fight For Their Country

kemppis Report

#52

World’s 25 Largest Lakes Side By Side

World’s 25 Largest Lakes Side By Side

TWWILD_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
rainbownews avatar
Rainbow Panda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But Caspian Sea is a sea. 🌊 (It’s a joke for those who are gonna complain in the reply section)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#53

How I, A Brit, See The United States (Sorry If It Offends Anyone)

How I, A Brit, See The United States (Sorry If It Offends Anyone)

DavidMcFarlanee Report

Add photo comments
POST
katy_malinowski avatar
Katy McMouse
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You only call New England "small and confusing" because you are still wondering how you lost it (no offense, just joking! Seriously).

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#54

You Can Fit The Entirety Of Poland Into Texas And Still Be Able To Drive Around It

You Can Fit The Entirety Of Poland Into Texas And Still Be Able To Drive Around It

ChetWinston Report

#55

How To Say "Thank You" In Europe

How To Say "Thank You" In Europe

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
nickyoldfielddesciple avatar
IlovemydogShilo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you in Irish is Go Raibh Maith Agat ( Pronounced Go Ro My Aggat. Thank you in Welsh is Diolch (pronounced Diolsh).

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#56

How To Become President With 22% Of The Vote

How To Become President With 22% Of The Vote

If you would get 50.1% of the vote of each red-coloured state, 22% of the population of the country, you would become president, even if 78% of the country voted for another person, this is assuming that 49.9% of people in the the red-coloured states voted for the blue party, and 100% of the people in the blue-coloured states voted for the blue party.

NOTE: The colours dont mean anything

persondotcom_idunno Report

#57

Comparing The Population Of The Dakotas And Manhattan

Comparing The Population Of The Dakotas And Manhattan

michaelclas Report

#58

Paper Sizes World Map

Paper Sizes World Map

JurijFedorov Report

#59

Map Of Almost All Countries And Their Respective Camo Patterns

Map Of Almost All Countries And Their Respective Camo Patterns

The_Kadj Report

#60

4 Years Of Trucking, Each Dot Is Somewhere He Spent >1 Hour

4 Years Of Trucking, Each Dot Is Somewhere He Spent >1 Hour

reddit.com Report

#61

Position Of The North Magnetic Pole Since 1590

Position Of The North Magnetic Pole Since 1590

RedGolpe Report

#62

What Motorcycles Look Like Across Europe (Based On The Prohibitory Road Sign)

What Motorcycles Look Like Across Europe (Based On The Prohibitory Road Sign)

3OxenABunchofOnions Report

Add photo comments
POST
mrtree1779 avatar
MrTree1779
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Span, Italy, and Romania apparently don't have Motorcycles. They have Tron Light Cycles!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#64

British Columbia Split Into 3 Areas Of Equal Population

British Columbia Split Into 3 Areas Of Equal Population

jakemillionstv Report

Add photo comments
POST
mrtree1779 avatar
MrTree1779
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They should rename the Province to "Not Vancouver", then make Vancouver a City State.

View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#66

Hundred Largest Islands Of The World

Hundred Largest Islands Of The World

mapmakerdavid Report

Add photo comments
POST
lordnazar avatar
Scyth
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's the difference between a continent and an island? Size? No wonder there is alot of confusion about australia.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#67

Frances Longest Border Is Shared With Brazil!

Frances Longest Border Is Shared With Brazil!

slamfist69 Report

#68

The Russian Flag But The Two Colors Have The Same Population

The Russian Flag But The Two Colors Have The Same Population

Report

#69

90 Minute Public Transit Commuter Zone For London vs. San Francisco

90 Minute Public Transit Commuter Zone For London vs. San Francisco

tzfld Report

Add photo comments
POST
mandygora03 avatar
BorPand8
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha the 90-minute public transit commuter zone in Manila would be about 5 miles in diameter. And it wouldn't help you much to drive your own car either. Walking is quite often faster. Well, before the pandemic. Things are better... for now.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#70

Usage Of 'Dang' In The United States

Usage Of 'Dang' In The United States

AJgloe Report

#71

The Nearest Country To Everywhere In The US

The Nearest Country To Everywhere In The US

e8odie Report

#72

The Nearest Country To You, When In Russia

The Nearest Country To You, When In Russia

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
lassila-alexander avatar
Aragorn II Elessar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@I’m not even going to try to write that out, as it would give me an aneurysm, it is, in fact, the nearest country to you when in Russia

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#73

Amount Of Tanks Per 100 000 People

Amount Of Tanks Per 100 000 People

From_The_Sun Report

Add photo comments
POST
martti avatar
ML
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tank is an attack weapon, not defense weapon. We in Estonia are all about defense, not attack.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#74

Average 'First Leaf' Appearance In The Contiguous U.S.

Average 'First Leaf' Appearance In The Contiguous U.S.

Tranquil-Golden-Hour Report

Add photo comments
POST
jacobbeccagizmothesquirrel avatar
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to live somewhere where I have to where a light jacket in summer and I'm snowed in during winter. I'm tired of sweating mid October.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#75

The Italian Flag, But Every Colour Has The Same Population

The Italian Flag, But Every Colour Has The Same Population

3OxenABunchofOnions Report

See Also on Bored Panda