40 Maps That Will Help You Make Sense of the World

Carruthers • Feb 25, 2014 11:27 am
I thought I'd put this here rather than in the Links topic on the Internet forum as it would probably gain greater exposure.

40 Maps That Will Help You Make Sense of the World

Map 3 was a bit of an eye opener: The Only 22 Countries in the World Britain Has Not Invaded.
I'm not going to make judgements on events which may, in some cases, have been several centuries ago using the standards of today, but it doesn't suggest impeccable behaviour on our part, does it?

Of course, I don't think that anyone would quibble with events such as D-Day and subsequent actions.
glatt • Feb 25, 2014 11:44 am
The first one, the Google Street view map, confused me, because it showed all of Europe is covered by Street View, but I thought Germany had banned it.

It isn't until you zoom in on the Google map by following the link that you see the real story.

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Carruthers • Feb 25, 2014 11:51 am
It isn't until you zoom in on the Google map by following the link that you see the real story.


Yes, at first glance I thought that Luxembourg had relented but sadly not.
I went there on a school trip about two centuries ago (well, it feels like it) and was hoping to match some of my photos with Street View.
Another of life's disappointments. That's four this week and it's only Tuesday.:sniff:
Undertoad • Feb 25, 2014 12:11 pm
I like #24 and I believe that the Scandinavians and Japanese are better than us. Except at some things.
glatt • Feb 25, 2014 12:16 pm
I also liked 24.

And it's just stupid trivia, but I really enjoyed 38. I even went into Google Earth to see if it was true, pulled out the measurement tool to check, and had to work around their "connect two dots by the shortest distance" rule by drawing a path and trying to make it straight.
Spexxvet • Feb 25, 2014 12:58 pm
I got a kick out of 39
39. Map of Europe Showing Literal
Chinese Translations for Country Names
DanaC • Feb 25, 2014 3:13 pm
That is an awesome find. Thanks Carruthers!
Gravdigr • Feb 25, 2014 5:06 pm
Map #40 is either WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY over my head, or it's just plain stupid.
glatt • Feb 25, 2014 8:05 pm
They have a billboard sized version of 40 by the side of the road at the Sydney airport. At least they did 15 years ago.
limey • Feb 26, 2014 5:24 am
I want to know what happens at the borders between red and blue in map 8!
glatt • Feb 26, 2014 9:57 am
When I was a lad and we took a ferry from Europe to England, I wondered about the same thing, and paid close attention. They are very careful to have the exit from the Ferry parking lot be a ramp that funnels you onto the road on the proper side. The same thing happens at airports where you might rent a car. You are funneled onto the proper side of the road as you exit.

I am also curious about countries that border each other on land. I guess it's time for a trip to Google Earth.
glatt • Feb 26, 2014 10:13 am
Yeah, in rural areas, they don't do anything, and in built up areas, like the Cambodia/Thailand border at Poipet, they force traffic to exit the border control station in a certain direction.
Gravdigr • Feb 26, 2014 3:56 pm
limey;893334 wrote:
I want to know what happens at the borders between red and blue in map 8!


I just saw a photo of that very thing. I'll see if I can find it again...


ETA:...here it is, but, it's not a real pic, sorry.

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xoxoxoBruce • Feb 26, 2014 4:05 pm
That bridge from China to Hong Kong that moves traffic over the opposite side?
waiting • Feb 28, 2014 6:14 pm
Nice info, thanks for sharing :)
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