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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

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

Eagle uses thermal flows to fly up effortlessly. The way it works is that the sun shines on the ground, it produces hot air above it, hot air weighs less than the cold air and it goes upwards. Eagle finds these spots on top of the ground and uses them. This doesn't happen on the surface of the water, since heating up the water needs more energy.

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

The description is incorrect. These are migration paths of _several_ eagles provided by Russian ornithologists.

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Elise van Looij
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those Russian ornithologists tracked several eagles and the maps they produced showed each with their own color. The project ran out of money when some eagles flew as far as Pakistan and their transmitters racked up huge roaming fees, according to an article on the BBC website https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50180781

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

That eagle has gone more places in 20 years than a lot of humans!

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

It probably still remembers that time he almost got lost in southeastern Khazahkstan. :-)

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

No food or water in the desert, so it has to travel a lot to find some.

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

It would be really interesting to know the years and conditions to why it chose to change it's pattern and head from Uzbekistan down to afghanistan toward oman instead of it's normal route around The Caspian sea

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

They avoided Turkey. Guess they know that's not a place for eagles.

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

20 years! That must be some good quality GPS system

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

It’s so interesting how most birds avoid/detour around large bodies of water!!

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

This is actually the GPS of approximately 20 eagles... https://www.boredpanda.com/gps-tracks-eagle-movement-over-twenty-years/

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

I have traveled a bit in my life time, but these eagles top my traveling places. Its amazing how far they can go and so many different countries.

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

It would have been interesting to learn why the eagle took those diverted routes by Afghanistan and those to Ukraine... whether, war, food...just for the fun of it and to get a new perspective of things?

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

The eagle learned a lot. So he goes to lots of places. Just like Dr. Suess said.

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

Don't expect the location details to be very accurate. 20 years ago the high resolution GPS data was restricted to the US military. Only recently was it made available to all. If the location data presented is not from GPS then it should be even more suspect.

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

Never crossed a sea but prefered the most narrow point on Red Sea

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k1ddkanuck
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On one hand, I envy the freedom. On the other, I f*****g hate flying.

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

Johnny Cash: I've been to Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo Tocopilla, Barranquilla, and Padilla, I'm a killer…

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

If it went over the oceans it would probably get tired and drown. Eagles aren't built to fly huge distances without rest like seabirds.

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#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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#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.