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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

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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!

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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

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#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.

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“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

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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....

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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

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ML
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Turn Australia around and you would get a better comparison.

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Major Krunch
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Notice the great similarity between Nebraska and central Oz - as in EMPTY!

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Xiaoxi Lou
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey! Why isn't Melbourne on the Australian map!! ;) Just cos we're in lockdown....doesn't mean we're not there anymore!!! ;(

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Christopher Seaton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pity they didn't include the Australian state borders. You think Texas is big? Ha! Try Western Australia for size - draw a line from just to the left of where Regina is, straight south. Everything west of that line is the state of Western Australia.

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Wendy Cayless
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If Western Australia was a country, it would be the ninth biggest in the world.

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Caroline Farquhar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a travel agent specializing in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, I used to use this example to show people how impossible it was to “take in Australia in a few days”. Kind of like explaining to an American why I didn’t drive to Vancouver for the Olympics when I lived in Toronto. 🙄

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Some Cool Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From Perth, Western Australia it is 1440 Km (895 miles) to the nearest state border by road.

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Prism Dawn
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The US and Europe are always grossly oversized in standard maps. It’s pretty messed up and really telling when it comes to matters of representation.

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Bellatrix Lestrange
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's because when you put a globe onto a flat map it messes up the sizes of things. If you use a globe you can get a accurate comparison.

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Ani Archeron
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And to think for camp I once took a bus from Sydney to Brisbane and back :D

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Sean Cannon
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“let’s just leave out melbourne and adelaide, nobody will notice”

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Jo Firth
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All that space and we have less than 10% of the US population...

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This is Cutie Ringo Joy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it’s a country , it’s a country as long it has its own flag , national anthem and pledge.

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HalfFinnishedAustralian
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do they show the American states , but not the Australian states and territories?

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Valeria Quint
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you flip Australia upside down, it’s kind of shaped like the US.

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Judy Windham Saunders
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, except Alaska and Hawaii aren't included, so I guess you meant the *Continguous* United States, right?

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Lindy Mac
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is incorrect. Both counties need to be on the equator for a fair comparison. https://thetruesize.com/ will let you do that.

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Trudie Anne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is incorrect so I'm now terribly disappointed and don't trust the rest of the data. Australia is the 6th largest country - fact. This in not to scale! BS

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Josh Wooler
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like it's a bit off it's actually 22% smaller. Which is still massive.

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FloridaMan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what's weird is yes its a continent but weirdly australia is in ocenia oceania has: new Zealand papua new guinea etc.

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Medical Squid
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh my god its hUGe what the heck why didn't i know this before???

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Peta Hurley-Hill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They forgot Melbourne>a city with a population second only to Sydney.

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Robert Robi Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you mirrored Australia horizontally, they would be quite similar shape, too!

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Frankie Guell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Puerto Rico is an Island, Australia is considered a Continent for a reason

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Peta Hurley-Hill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

we will be that as soon as with get rid of our conservative/right wing/pretend christian government at the next election and follow NZ's lead.

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Al Christensen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Flip one of the countries upside down and they fit even better.

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John Chambers Wilson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Climatically, it would be better to see Australia inverted overlayed on North America, showing the cooler cities of Canberra and Sydney over Ontario, and the warmer cities of Darwin and Cairns near the Gulf of Mexico

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C KW
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any map of the world that features Regina, Saskatchewan is worth looking at! :)

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Ron Romero
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Australia population: ~25 million. California population: ~40 million. All US: ~330 million.

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#16

3D Render Topographic Map Of Europe

3D Render Topographic Map Of Europe

reddit.com Report

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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'?)

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#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

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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).

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#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

#30

Syria Before And After Civil War

Syria Before And After Civil War

atharva321 Report

Note: this post originally had 75 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.