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

This has been around for a long time. Learned about it in 6th grade. His name is Chef Mimal

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

my friend noticed this in fourth grade, my whole class as like "wOh"

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

Lol, that's exactly what I thought of too. Does that say something about us? Lol.

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

It looks like the "chef" is giving Kentucky his hard, long, baguette.

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

Wasn't that figure called Mimal? I remember hearing about it somewhere.

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

Ops, I thought it (pan+chicken) was another thing before read it, and I can unsee it anymore.

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

Fine fine! Now give me a Minnesota, I mean mini soda, to go with my fried chicken.

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

I can make a state of Minnesota by biting a graham cracker square halfway.

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

actually, i saw something else. a montage that might more aptly describe a lonely backwoodsman (missouri?)

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

this is actually how they taught me in elementary school… 😬 his name is mimal

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

bwhaahaha!! I'll be looking for that each time i look at a US map!

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

I always just looked for the piece of chicken when I was younger.

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Katya Kong
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3 years ago

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Emily Ray Howson
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3 years ago

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

We were taught about him in 6th grade geography class. The "Mimal man"

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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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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
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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.