ADVERTISEMENT

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!

More info: Facebook | Instagram

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."

#2

Terrible Maps

TerribleMaps Report

Add photo comments
POST
aaronw avatar
Aaron W
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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."

ADVERTISEMENT

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!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#11

Terrible Maps

TerribleMaps Report

Add photo comments
POST
katrinprill avatar
Katrin P.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This map is so accurate. And I feel quite ashamed about this fact.

r3dd3v1ll avatar
Oathbraker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel bad about this, but I always forget about the islands between Australia and Japan. I know they are huge and millions of people live there, but still...

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

I'm an American and I care about disasters anywhere, including places referred to in foul ways by certain presidents. What is happening off the coast of Greece right now is so sad...

lassila-alexander avatar
Aragorn II Elessar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like it says, so sad. All joking aside, so am I and so do I. Unfortunately, America gets a bad reputation because the idiots are the loudest.

Load More Replies...
konstantin_2 avatar
Kesam
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think people in, say, Eritrea or Indonesia will agree with this map...

megantenbroeke avatar
Phunny Philosopher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This map shows how most Americans think about the rest of the world (meaning: they don't know or care). Unfortunately, It's accurate. I have tears in my eyes right now because it is true.

Load More Replies...
meyowmix avatar
Colin L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm amused by the fact that Alaska is listed as a lesser tragedy than the rest of the US.

jorge_killerboy avatar
Jorge Frade
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then theres Portugal, where no tragedy hapens so it aint on the map o.o

sergeirichard avatar
Sergei Richard
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Clearly the red countries are very upset because Iceland has somehow tragically collided with Ireland.

zkruglov0001 avatar
The Schuyler Sisters
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am sad that most people don't know what Malaysia is-and I also feel so ashamed.

rikke_deals avatar
Rikke Hackner
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well I guess I should be grateful that I live in the yellow bit at the bottom of the s**t in Africa.

viki_banaszak avatar
Viki Banaszak
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see so many places that haven't been brought USA democracy. Are, are there countries out there that we haven't invaded....er am helped yet?

nananapnz avatar
Dee TW
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad but accurate......what does the no colour of NZ mean?

emilyrayhowson avatar
Emily Ray Howson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the hell. This peace of bingo bongo sucks. I know it’s really accurate but we need to do better though :/

baconycakes1337 avatar
Bacony
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

America should be BRIGHT PURPLE (literally the entire news networks of the planet do not shut up about the tragedy until civilisation ends)

viki_banaszak avatar
Viki Banaszak
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they are saying we are nosey and need to know everything going on everywhere even if it doesn't (or shouldn't) concern us.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Terrible Maps

TerribleMaps Report

Add photo comments
POST
konstantin_2 avatar
Kesam
Community Member
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

View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

Terrible Maps

TerribleMaps Report

Add photo comments
POST
konstantin_2 avatar
Kesam
Community Member
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??)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Terrible Maps

TerribleMaps Report

Add photo comments
POST
ambroise-lescop-2 avatar
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Terrible Maps

TerribleMaps Report

Add photo comments
POST
karlameixnerov avatar
karla Meixnerová
Community Member
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...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#21

Terrible Maps

TerribleMaps Report

Add photo comments
POST
rabbitcarrot avatar
Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Terrible Maps

TerribleMaps Report

Add photo comments
POST
sshapiro2025 avatar
Sadie Shapiro
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#28

Terrible Maps

TerribleMaps Report

Add photo comments
POST
jaynekyra avatar
Jayne Kyra
Community Member
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!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

Terrible Maps

TerribleMaps Report

Add photo comments
POST
r3dd3v1ll avatar
Oathbraker
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Terrible Maps

TerribleMaps Report

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