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Since the last time we wrote about Terrible Maps, a project that is dedicated to sharing maps no one asked for or needs, they've kept themselves rather busy. So it's only natural we created a follow-up article about the cartographers who are so bad, they're actually good. After all, what is the Internet for if not to poke fun at politics and our geographical illiteracy?

From hilarious guides on how to find the state of Kentucky to showing how many Switzerlands fit in Brazil, continue scrolling and check out these gems and tell us which one would you hang on your office wall!

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OK. We can clearly see these are bad maps. But how to know you're looking at a good one? Brant Scheidecker, a sales engineer at Cartegraph, highlighted some of the main essentials for accurate and easily interpretable map use.

"Every map should have a title. It allows the user to assess the purpose of the map quickly; allowing them to determine if it meets their needs," Scheidecker wrote.

Next, origin. A fancy name for a compass or the North arrow. "This allows the user to determine the maps reference to the earth. While most maps these days have North being straight up, occasionally you will encounter a map that has a skewed orientation, perhaps to better fit it on the physical medium it's presented on (i.e. paper), or simply because it’s easier to interact with the map in that orientation."

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Aaron W
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dammit, I'm going to see this every time I look at a US map now. Thanks, Bored Panda.

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When it comes to the source, it's a two-fold element. "It allows the map maker to provide the map viewer an idea where the data the map is representing is from; a necessity in determining the accuracy of a map. It also allows the map maker a way to cite the source of their data, avoiding all those pesky cries of plagiarism and the ensuing lawsuits," Scheidecker explained. "You have better uses for your time, like ensuring the rest of the T.O.S.S.L.A.D. elements are on your maps."

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Let's not forget the legend (the area where a user can determine what a particular color or symbol represents on the map). "Without a legend, a user cannot successfully interpret what your map is trying to represent, 'Does the red skull and crossbones over my favorite restaurant mean what I think it means?'"

You should also know when was the map that you're analyzing made. If it was created in 1962 and shows commuter levels in Chicago—it might not be such a valid source for the traffic data you are looking for today, unless you are feeling nostalgic, Scheidecker joked.

There you have it. You may now have become a cartographic genius, but you should be able to tell if you're looking at a terrible map or not!

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aaronw avatar
Aaron W
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guarantee no regular Fox viewer noticed that mistake.

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Grumble O'Pug
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone who is Hispanic or Latinx is from a "Mexican Country" to a Fake Snooze viewer.

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

Fact checkers Punditfact have checked and found that 60% of Fox News statements are either mostly false or a complete lie.

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

So crazy! They would be taken off air and fined huge amounts in Britain. Tv News must be impartial and facts only, and God help them if they break the rules!!

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MrTree1779
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Damned Mexicans, hoarding all those countries... How selfish! At least Africa and Europe each keep to only one..." ;-P

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

These are irreverent, kinda racist, and really funny. (MS13 Mexico!)

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

Guyane, the yellow part of "Poor Mexico" is actually the most prosperous part of South America, because it's a part of France.

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

French Guiana is a French territory (and it's different than just Guiana), and hardly is more prosperous than the big neighbor. (Kinda trying to compare Puerto Rico, which is a US territory)

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Cari Nola
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in WTF Mexico and from Meat Mexico; many people would say those are the greatest Mexicos

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

Love the label 'Dispropaganda.' I think these people misunderestimated their geography skills.

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

Really pathetic! Did any of these people graduate from high school? Love WTF Mexico!

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

Actually, it's North America & South America... some say Central America, but that isn't a continent.

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

Well, yes, and "Latin America" is everything from the Rio Grande to Tierra Del Fuego plus parts of Spain and Portugal.

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

So freakin' funny! Even to a person of partial Hispanic ancestry like me.

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

I'm so confused by Uruguay being "West Mexico". This is going to keep me up at night wondering if it was a mistake or intentional silliness.

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

the whole thing is intentional silliness. In reply to fox news's unintentional stupidity.

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

I have gone to "Mountain Mexico" for a week with my dad before.

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

I think differently, therefore, I must be superior.

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

I'm a regular Fox viewer and I know for a fact that Trump DID NOT say this, Fox DID NOT have that on their screen and we are NOT STUPID!! It's been photoshopped (huge eye roll)

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

On March 31, 2019 Fox News fill in host Ed Henry issued an apology on air for Fox's error in referring to "3 Mexican Countries".

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Kesam
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3 years ago

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West Mexico is quite far east... Otherwise: completely correct! :D

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

Well, I've never seen so many Mexicans before moving to US, so I guess to be more accurate US' states are the ones that should be Mexican this mexican that. I live in the Mexican cheese state now

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Kesam
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm an immigrant in "aesthetically tasteless" country and I totally agree! :D

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Kesam
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always knew Brazilians are brainy. (But wait, what does that make northwestern Canada??)

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

Belgium imports a lot of electricity from France. I wouldn't be surprised if this particular power plant mainly produced electricity for the Belgian market

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karla Meixnerová
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No surprise, if the person with this opinion is a believer, that the Earth is flat...

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Rabbit Carrot
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah. We see a giant a*s bible for most of those middle states. Oh and guns. Lots and lots of guns.

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Sadie Shapiro
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i don't even want to try saying that one. you know which one I'm talking about.

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Jayne Kyra
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

According to my dots in MS Paint over each: 132. Might be wrong, but I am not doing it again. EDIT: Did it again and Beto River is right, I missed 10 at some point. Thank you Beto!

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Oathbraker
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand mistaking it with Iraq or Afghanistan, but how the f**k did they go to Africa and the Balkans? A couple are even in the UK, for crying out loud.

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Note: this post originally had 150 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.