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You’d be surprised how many map enthusiasts there are, if you’re not already one of them. And to those who think that cartography is a legacy from an ancient world, let me tell you, it’s exactly the opposite.

Think of it as a mode of information telling, quite like story-telling, but with its own subtle rules and features. Today, maps can tell us all kinds of miscellaneous things you had no clue existed and the “Lover Of Geography” Instagram page is a perfect online source for that. Followed by 58.3k followers, the page is dedicated to sharing “high quality posts about interesting topics.” They also promise “you won't get bored here,” and they deliver.

Below we collected some of the most entertaining entries from the page, so scroll down and upvote your favorites as you go. After you’re done, make sure to check out our previous posts with unusual maps that may change how you see the world here, here and here.

#1

This Post Shows What Traditional Houses Look Like In Different Countries

This Post Shows What Traditional Houses Look Like In Different Countries

loverofgeography Report

#2

This Post Shows Some Cities From Different Countries From Above

This Post Shows Some Cities From Different Countries From Above

loverofgeography Report

#3

This Post Shows The Legal Status Of Homosexuality Around The World In 2022

This Post Shows The Legal Status Of Homosexuality Around The World In 2022

loverofgeography Report

To find out more about the creator behind the Lover Of Geography Instagram page, Bored Panda reached out to 20-year-old content creator from the Netherlands Melih Orkun Köksal, also known by his Instagram handle @melykoksal. Melih told us that he started this page in December 2019 when he was only 17 years old. “I currently study Earth Sciences at the College of Rotterdam. Other than geography my hobbies are going to the gym and hanging out with friends, not very different from a normal 20-year-old,” he said.

When asked about his interest in cartography, Melih told us that this fascination began in his childhood. “As a little kid as young as 5 years old, I always had a little bit of passion for world maps or countries. I had a huge world map in my room. Every day when I came back home from school I kept staring at the world map in my room because of how fascinating it was to me while most other kids just wouldn't care. I was playing games with myself trying to find all the countries and cities on the map. Or I played geography games on my PC after school.”

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#4

This Post Shows Which One Was Searched More In 2021 In Each Country

This Post Shows Which One Was Searched More In 2021 In Each Country

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#5

This Post Shows Which Country Europeans Think Has On Average The Most Attractive Citizens. Based On Polls On 1000 People Per Country

This Post Shows Which Country Europeans Think Has On Average The Most Attractive Citizens. Based On Polls On 1000 People Per Country

loverofgeography Report

#6

This Post Shows The Countries That Have Taken "Eat The Rich" Very Seriously

This Post Shows The Countries That Have Taken "Eat The Rich" Very Seriously

In 1672 The Dutch crowds did what crowds do best, namely lose all semblance of sense or sanity. The prime minister of the country was stripped naked, mutilated, and according to some reports, had their livers removed and eaten by the crowds. “C’est la vie, c’est la guerre,” as the French say.

loverofgeography Report

Moreover, the creator of the Lover Of Geography page recounted that he always wanted to know where the countries are located as a child. “I often asked my parents questions like 'Dad, where is this country located' because I was simply so interested in locations. My parents would notice this weird obsession and in a matter of time, when I was 6 years old, I knew all countries and their capital cities,” he said. Throughout his childhood, Melih said, his knowledge of maps grew “so much to the point that teachers in elementary school or my own parents had to ask me for extra information when we were going on vacation to a different country. Kids in school I was asked me to help them with their geography assignments.”

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#8

This Post Shows What The French Language Sounds Like According To Europeans Based On A Pollhow Is The Test Done

This Post Shows What The French Language Sounds Like According To Europeans Based On A Pollhow Is The Test Done

loverofgeography Report

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

Annoying hahaha. Sometimes it is because the French talk fast. pffft I have to give them a time-out sign sometimes.

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#9

This Post Shows Where Americans Pressed

This Post Shows Where Americans Pressed

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

That's not too bad. I can imagine a survey amongst us Britishers would show a similar result.

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Years later, when Melih was 16 or 17, he saw all these mappers on Instagram and he thought he could do that too, but better. So he wanted a page to share his “own map style and not just stolen maps from Reddit. I wanted to entertain people and educate them at the same time by making maps more fun.”

Recently, Melih has noticed maps popping up everywhere online since 2016. He believes that now younger folks are being targeted with cartography.“I am trying to select maps people will look at without just scrolling. It needs to be interesting and fun but it also needs to be based on reliable sources. So I try to share maps with the combination of these 2 things, the maps that are fun and come from reliable sources.”

#10

This Post Shows The Countries That Are The Opposite Of Each Other When It Comes To Random Aspects In 2021

This Post Shows The Countries That Are The Opposite Of Each Other When It Comes To Random Aspects In 2021

loverofgeography Report

#11

This Post Shows Some Controversial Statistic In Europe And It's Surrounding Areas

This Post Shows Some Controversial Statistic In Europe And It's Surrounding Areas

loverofgeography Report

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jmchoto avatar
Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm more shocked by the fact that Iceland has made it's way in between France and Spain.

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#12

This Post Shows The Conflict Between Ukraine And Russia Which We Of Course All Have Heard About Recently

This Post Shows The Conflict Between Ukraine And Russia Which We Of Course All Have Heard About Recently

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

Hungary is not absolutely correct. Yet. We, Hungarians think that Viktor Orban actually supports Putin, that's why he acts like that, but he still wants to get money from EU. We hope this will change in 2 days finally, because Hungarian people stand with Ukraine <3

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Melih also added that sometimes he uses hot topics to gain more audience, “For example, during the World Cup, I made more football-related posts.”When asked whether he ever experiments with the design and style of his maps, Melih said that he indeed has done multiple experiments with the design but he prefers to stick with one style. “So my page will be more recognizable as if it's my own brand,” he said and added that “I tend to go for a minimalist look because it's easier to look at and understand what's going on on the map.”

#13

This Post Shows What Was Searched More In 2021

This Post Shows What Was Searched More In 2021

loverofgeography Report

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sanchit-mit2006 avatar
Ladies and Gentlemen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pardon me but i had to google search what is Hentai, now I regret it. Dont do it if you are at office or a public place.

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#14

This Post Shows The Countries That Are The Most Willing To Fight For Their Own Country In A War

This Post Shows The Countries That Are The Most Willing To Fight For Their Own Country In A War

loverofgeography Report

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jmchoto avatar
Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All we need is for everyone to refuse to fight and suddenly all those old men in comfortable rooms somewhere will not be able to destroy other lives.

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#15

This Post Shows The Average Age Women Get Married In Europe. Based On Data From 2019-2021

This Post Shows The Average Age Women Get Married In Europe. Based On Data From 2019-2021

loverofgeography Report

#16

This Post Shows The Countries With The Highest Quality Of Life In 2021

This Post Shows The Countries With The Highest Quality Of Life In 2021

loverofgeography Report

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

Is it really the flag of USA? I would like to know who they get this results

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#17

This Post Shows The Scariest Things In European Countries Obviously It's Not Meant To Be Taken Serious

This Post Shows The Scariest Things In European Countries Obviously It's Not Meant To Be Taken Serious

loverofgeography Report

#18

This Post Shows Which Countries Europeans Joke The Most About. The Flag On The Country Shows The Country They Joke The Most About

This Post Shows Which Countries Europeans Joke The Most About. The Flag On The Country Shows The Country They Joke The Most About

loverofgeography Report

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de-pieter-baan avatar
User# 6
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So Italians joke about... Italians? Interesting. Also, slightly odd Scottish enclave in Hungary... what did the Scots do to them?

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#19

This Post Shows What Traditional Breakfasts Around The World Typically Are Sweet vs. Salty

This Post Shows What Traditional Breakfasts Around The World Typically Are Sweet vs. Salty

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earloflincoln avatar
Martha Meyer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sweet breakfast seems to be only popular in countries that speak a Romance language.

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#20

This Post Shows Which Specific Group Faces The Most Discrimination In Different Countries In Europe

This Post Shows Which Specific Group Faces The Most Discrimination In Different Countries In Europe

loverofgeography Report

#21

This Post Shows The Estimated Percentage Of The Population Of Countries That Are Identified As An Atheist Or Agnostic

This Post Shows The Estimated Percentage Of The Population Of Countries That Are Identified As An Atheist Or Agnostic

loverofgeography Report

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

Data out of date. Now there are 11% of atheists in Poland. https://ciekaweliczby.pl/kosciol_polityka_sondaz/

lawrence_7 avatar
Michal Dolyniuk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And only the counted one. A lot people just attend mass because is easier then fight whit family

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

There is a difference between "atheists" and what I call "apatheist". People that may not check "atheist" in a survey, but for all intent and purposes they are.

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

I think you're right. When they asked the question differently in the UK, a lot of people who usually ticked 'Church of England' by default, redefined themselves as non-believers.

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

Erm.. what? The uk has a 72% of Atheists, as of this year. I'd imagine it's pretty much the same last year, too, and has been for a long time.

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

And now compare the least religious countries with the most peaceful ones. You'll see a lot of overlap. Oh, and where did Iceland float off to?

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

Yes, especially East Germany (former G.D.R.area) there are like 70 percent atheists, the rest protestant plus some few Catholics and even fewer Jews and Muslims. Someone once told me the GDR and Czech Republic were the most atheist countries in the East block (but that was 20years ago)west Germany nowadays are a biiiit over 50% religious.

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

Oh, look, the giant hands have caught the floating Iceland!! (Now I'll see myself out)

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

This is wrong. The number for Germany is 62%. https://de.statista.com/infografik/24308/anteil-der-befragten-in-deutschland-die-sich-als-glaeubig-bezeichnen/

shadowsign45 avatar
Londo Cotto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pick a side Agnostics, pick a side and stop pfaffing around. Stop being so damned wishy washy and pick a side.

louise_cameron79 avatar
Lou Cam
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Way higher athiest level in the UK but people tend to respond to questionnaire saying they are Christian because they give presents at Christmas and are white skinned (as if to define themselves as non "other") . They've never set foot in a church nor read a bible so no, they are not religious.

gemmelltastic avatar
Got Myself 4 Pandas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm surprised it's not more in the uk - but then they may not consider themselves atheists but just say they do t follow a religion

the_rosary avatar
jolie laide
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think, maybe.. this question should be reformed. A lot of people identify as atheist because they reject popular religions. They're all penned by man ages after the fact, etc. If people believe that there's nothing after death, you just die, it's all black and the "end of the road" that's fine. It's definitely possible. But I think for those who aren't religious, anything might be possible. The truth is, none of us knows. Near death experiences have been whittled down to brain synapses, etc. Which is great to know... but it's still a physical thing. Well, duh... we live in a physical body on a physical plane. To me, it proves the physical side of things but I don't think it proves much else. I have no idea, about life after death. There could be something, or nothing at all... and I'm okay with either one.

poopeggy6 avatar
Tunk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are right. It worries me how people embrace atheism so wholeheartedly without asking the bigger questions. To identify as agnostic makes so much more sense. There is still so much unknown to the human race.

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

Lots of work to do still. Still too much religion that ruins the world....

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

Where's Island ? Judging by the Jesus/Muhammed/Kanye google result, they probably ranked quite high ...

henicz avatar
Maciej H.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Data for Poland is a misunderstanding. There is a huge disproportion between what is on paper, and what life shows. Support for christian church in PL was never that low in history. The problem is, that baptism is still considered as somethon "natural" and socialy expected, even though people does not really support this religion anymore.

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

I would be surprised if the real numbers were not much higher. At least in the US, only 60% say they would consider voting for an atheist for president, fewer than would vote for religious minorities and gays/lesbians.

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

Most people confuse being agnostic with being an atheist. Atheism actively opposes religion, which is a developmental step, but skips the part where religion does have a purpose.

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

Not at all. Religion just keeps us trapped in iron age rules. The least religious that a country is the more they advance.

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

The percentage is a lot lower than I thought, and it makes me really happy!!

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Säm Gubler
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Shocking! Religion should’ve been banned a long time ago! Everyone who believes in whatever god: do the world a favor and get lost. In a fire maybe, or also the ocean would be aa good place.

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

I'm not religious but calm the f*** down, dude. Using religion to hurt others is bad, but you don't have to attack religion itself!

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#22

This Post Shows At What Age Europeans Leave Their Nest On Average In 2021

This Post Shows At What Age Europeans Leave Their Nest On Average In 2021

loverofgeography Report

#23

This Post Shows The Air Quality Of Europe In From Statistics Based On 2010-2021

This Post Shows The Air Quality Of Europe In From Statistics Based On 2010-2021

loverofgeography Report

#24

This Post Shows Countries That Have Never Reached 45 50 Or 55 Degrees

This Post Shows Countries That Have Never Reached 45 50 Or 55 Degrees

loverofgeography Report

#25

This Post Shows How Much Snow Does It Take For Schools To Be Cancelled Estimated

This Post Shows How Much Snow Does It Take For Schools To Be Cancelled Estimated

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

Haha they don't even need sweden on this map, I've never ever been excused from school or work due to snow, and we've definitely had worse than 40+ cm

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#26

This Post Shows The Sport People Do The Most For Fun Or Basically Is One The Most Popular Sports To Do In That Country (Football/Soccer Not Included) Otherwise This Would Be A Boring

This Post Shows The Sport People Do The Most For Fun Or Basically Is One The Most Popular Sports To Do In That Country (Football/Soccer Not Included) Otherwise This Would Be A Boring

loverofgeography Report

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

This is daft, but I just imagined Ireland's sport was them facing each other and yelling "GAA!".

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#27

This Post Shows The Average Price In Euros Of The Monthly Rent Of A 1 Bedroom Apartment Located In The City Centre Of Each Capital City Of The Countries On This Map

This Post Shows The Average Price In Euros Of The Monthly Rent Of A 1 Bedroom Apartment Located In The City Centre Of Each Capital City Of The Countries On This Map

loverofgeography Report

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rhodaguirreparras avatar
Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now do one comparing those figures with the average salary and see the map change. *Cries in Spain*

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#28

This Post Shows How People Around The World Prefer Their French Fries To Be Eaten

This Post Shows How People Around The World Prefer Their French Fries To Be Eaten

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#29

This Post Shows The Literal Meaning Of Country Names

This Post Shows The Literal Meaning Of Country Names

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

What does that even mean? France is named that way because it was the"land of the Franks". Franks were the tribes that were there so long ago.

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#30

This Post Shows The Coldest Temperatures In Celsius That Have Ever Been Measured. Note That The Russian Temperature Was Measured In Siberia Asia

This Post Shows The Coldest Temperatures In Celsius That Have Ever Been Measured. Note That The Russian Temperature Was Measured In Siberia Asia

loverofgeography Report

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

I'm fine with C and F, until it gets in the negatives, and then I really have no idea what C temps are.

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Note: this post originally had 100 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.