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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

loverofgeography Report

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Kevin Erdős–Bacon
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1 person searched for Jesus, 1 person searched for Muhammad, 3 people searched for Kanye West (and 371,000 searched for how to get rid of trolls from the garden)

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Kelly H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Heehee, lover of geography and New Zealand's just hanging out to the left of Aussie

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Kevin Erdős–Bacon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh I wish - everyone in Europe always asks me if I've visited New Zealand, but I always have to explain that it's still really far away from Western Australia. This would be a very welcome change from the isolation.

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Peppermallow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

New Zealanders are too busy searching for the science behind their relocation west of Australia

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Claire
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They really didn't want to end up on maps with NZ so they relocated them.

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Wreathy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trust me, as a kiwi I'm so putting this on there as a lazy ass attempt to squish us in..

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Just me
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, No, No! Aotearoa/NZ is off Australia's east coast. Good grief. Who drew this map???

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Ian Webling
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Until I read this I had thought of Iceland as a country potentially worth emigrating to.

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klynch4 avatar
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you don't know who Kanye West you are truly, truly fortunate or your comment is pure sarcasm.

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Anna Harrison
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last time I looked out my window Aotearoa was not in the Indian Ocean.

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Israel Martinez
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not just on Google ... too many have searched and not found Jesus in real life ...

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Matti Virtanen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why spoil your otherwise nice maps by using green and red (or brown, who knows?) This annoys and excludes about 8% of your male readership, and 1% of females.

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phil blanque
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you need Google to find Jesus, you are in deep trouble....Bing is better....maybe Yandex....but not Google...you will only get people who are selling Jesus.

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Makabert Abylons
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm this map feels familiar to the one about legality in homosexuality.... where Muhammad is searched most is where its not okay to be gay.. hmm islam...

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Daniel Marsh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

France is more interested in Muhammed, but China and India are more interested in Jesus?

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Kiki
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even as a French Muslim I'm very surprised to know that our Prophet (Peace be on Him) is the one searched the most over Jesus (also a prophet in Islam)! But honestly, and it's quite sad to admit, reading things like that makes me scared more than happy because these last years there has been a lot of hate speech about Muslims with saying such as "Muslims will replace the white/white Christians" so they usually use news like this to "prove" they're right.... The monster that killed dozen of Muslims in two Mosques in New Zealand based his hate on French speeches...

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Mr. Sasquatch Guy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, it is sad. People from every religion need to understand that it's okay for someone to believe something else. Unless they are actively harming people, just leave them alone. al-Qaeda. The Crusades. The purge of religion by the Communists in Russia. None of those were good in any way. Why can't we just learn to get along and like each other as normal human beings?

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A Polar Bear
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1 year ago

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Shalini Pabreja
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I call b******t on this one. Christianity is a minority faith in the Indian subcontinent and probably Mainland China as well.

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Joybug
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not a great map as doesn't really relate. Should have used the Troll stat for Iceland, far more interesting than Kanye clickbait

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jolie laide
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The f*ck, Iceland?! I mean, don't get me wrong, he's usually good for drama but.... what?!

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Glirpy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t think anyone will find Jesus on the internet.

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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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Caro Caro
Community Member
1 year 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

loverofgeography Report

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Nathaniel
Community Member
1 year 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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Jo Choto
Community Member
1 year 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

loverofgeography Report

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Krisztina Kóti
Community Member
1 year 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

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Ladies and Gentlemen
Community Member
1 year 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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Jo Choto
Community Member
1 year 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
1 year 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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User# 6
Community Member
1 year 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

loverofgeography Report

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Martha Meyer
Community Member
1 year 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
1 year 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/

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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

loverofgeography Report

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Gremlan jonnson
Community Member
1 year 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
1 year 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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Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
1 year 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

loverofgeography Report

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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
1 year 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
1 year 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.