We think of maps as a tool to show us how to get from point A to point B. But a map is really a symbolic way of seeing the world and its people.
Map-making goes all the way back to 2300 BC. But the following maps donโt seem to be built on over 4000 years of experience. In fact, theyโre pretty ridiculous! And while they wonโt necessarily help you learn geography, they will give you a good laugh.
11) In Antarctica, all ways are north
If youโre at the bottom of the planet, any horizontal movement will technically take you north. So leave the compass at home and stock up on extra layers instead.
Source:
Terrible Maps
12) Roman Air Bases in the 2nd century AD
The Roman military was seriously lacking in one area in the 2nd century: air bases. Itโs probably because planes werenโt invented for another 1800 years, but is that really an excuse? Ok, maybe it is. This is a truly terrible map.
Source:
Terrible Maps
13) All the churches in Poland
There are roughly 33 million Catholics in Poland and this map makes it look like they each have their own church. Donโt bother with Google Maps if youโre visiting and want to check out the religious architecture, just keep walking and youโll find one.
Source:
Terrible Maps
14) Countries not using the metric system and losing a war to Vietnamese farmers
Historians have written hundreds of books on the Vietnam War. But how many have investigated the role of the metric system (or lack thereof) in its disastrous conclusion? Well, none.
Source:
Terrible Maps
15) Pubs in the UK
Finding a pub in the UK is about as easy as finding a church in Poland. You wonโt stay thirsty for long in this pint-loving part of the world.
Source:
Terrible Maps
6) Wine producers of Antarctica
You canโt even make icewine out of Antarcticaโs grapes. Probably because there are none. But letโs be grateful: the planet is well-past doomed by the time the first Antarctic vintage is available.
Source:
Terrible Maps
7) Where to find the most kangaroos
This map helpfully circles the part of the planet with the most kangaroos. Granted, Austrailia is the only place they are an indigenous animal, but itโs good to know our zoo populations havenโt surpassed that of an entire continent. Yet.
8) Americaโs most popular misspelled words
According to Google, these are the most misspelled words in each state when people do Google searches. Some of them are understandable, but some are truly perplexing. Of particular note is Wisconsin, where the most misspelled word isโฆWisconsin.
Source:
Terrible Maps
9) Popes per square mile
Even during the Great Schism when there were two, and briefly three, popes, they were still concentrated in the same area. But you can test your eyesight by finding the tiny dot on this map representing the worldโs one and only current pope.
Source:
Terrible Maps
10) Bear attacks concentrated on one planet
If youโre afraid of bears, your best bet is to move off-world. As you can see, all known bear attacks have happened in one location in the universe, planet Earth. To be fair, we have yet to collect data from the other planets.
1) Expansion of Switzerland over the last 200 years
Switzerland is known for its peaceful interactions with the rest of the world. In fact, itโs official policy not to get involved in the rest of the worldโs conflicts. So itโs no surprise that, unlike so many other nations, they havenโt expanded their borders, an act generally requiring invasion and violence.
2) Countries within walking distance of Australia
Being an island nation means never being invaded by an army on foot. But itโs also really inconvenient for anyone wanting to traverse the world while pwning their friends on Fitbit. If you want to get your steps in while traveling to Australia, youโll have to find a boat with enough room to jog the deck.
Source:
Terrible Maps
3) The sheep of Australia
This 1920 map shows where you can go to find the most sheep in Australia, if thatโs your thing. And why wouldnโt it be?
Source:
abc.net.au
4) Our maps say more about us than the world
In case you havenโt noticed, a map isnโt an objective view of the world. Mapmakers have always visualized the world according to their own viewpoints.
5) Home of all Miss Universe winners
Just like the World Series, the Miss Universe competition seems weighted towards a specific place. While we have yet to receive an entry from any other planet, it seems misleading to hand out the title of Miss Universe to earthlings every year.
16) Map of the world if it were a bear
Did you ever wonder what a map of Earth would look like if someone turned it into a bear? Well, wonder no more! Test your geography by identifying all the countries and continents.
Source:
Terrible Maps
17) The world is a cat
Forget bears, the world is actually a cat playing with a ball of yarn. That yarn being Australia, of course. Who knew?
18) Number of Switzerlands that fit inside Brazil
Finally, an answer to the question on everyoneโs mind. At the very least, this map gives us some indication of just how big Brazil is, at least compared to Switzerland.
Source:
Terrible Maps
19) Roundest countries on Earth
Admit it, youโve often wondered which country is the roundest on Earth. Well, now we know itโs none other than Sierra Leone. No doubt youโll sleep easier tonight with this important new knowledge.
Source:
Terrible Maps
20) Countries where Queen Elizabeth can be charged with a crime
Ever wonder why the British royal family doesnโt visit South Sudan? Itโs the one place where they donโt have the privilege of immunity from prosecution. If the Queen ever does decide to visit, sheโll have to be on her very best behavior.
Source:
Terrible Maps
21) US governors by eye color
While we donโt have data from the 2018 election, this map shows us itโs hard to become governor if you have green eyes. Or else very few people with green eyes run for governor. Come to think of it, this map doesnโt really show us anything helpful at all.
Source:
Terrible Maps
22) Where can you own a kangaroo?
We donโt typically think of kangaroos as pets, but if you decide you really want one, there are a few states where you donโt even need a permit. One wonders how the clerks at city hall would react if you went to sign up for your kangaroo permit in Idaho.
Source:
Terrible Maps
23) Language barriers to traveling around Iceland
The Icelandic language looks intimidating to native English speakers. If youโre going to travel to Iceland, itโs best to take a good look where youโre going before you end up on the wrong side of the country for mixing up a few letters.
Source:
Terrible Maps
24) The naughtiest-sounding towns in each state
Everybody needs a giggle. Itโs hard to imagine how the people of Wankers Corner or Dickshooter write out their address with a straight face. And how does a town come to be called Rough & Ready unless someone wanted to be hilarious?
Source:
Estately via Terrible Maps
25) F-Bombs dropped around the world
The Fbomb map constantly updates based on how many people use the f-word in their Tweets. You can see it in real time on their website. Of course, itโs heavily weighted towards English-speaking nations, since other languages have their own special exclamations.
Source:
FBomb Map
26) Most Googled in each state
Google is constantly running analytics and this map gives us some interesting insight into just what was on peopleโs minds in 2015. It ranges from the wholesome (Michigan) to the deranged (cโmon Illinois) to the downright curious (Pennsylvania). And what on earth is going on in Texas?
Source:
Estately
27) Directions to Japan
Thereโs really no need to use Google Maps to get to Japan since you have to cross water. But perhaps itโs implying one can swim if theyโre dedicated enough. Weโd like to see the time of arrival on this one.
Source:
i heart japan
28) Distance to and from Ohio
Breaking news: Ohio is the closest state to Ohio. But if youโve ever wondered just how close you are to the state, hereโs the map for you. Even if youโre in the โnot too farโ category, we donโt recommend trying to make the walk.
Source:
@drewtoothpaste via Twitter
29) Population per capita
This map shows the population of European countries divided by the number of people living in them. If youโre confused, you should be, since the number will always be 1. Whatโs particularly hilarious about this map is the lack of information for Kosovo, which needs no data to tell us it should also be in the green.
Source:
Jakub Marian
30) State population in units of Ukraines
Did you ever wonder how many Ukrainian populations your region contains? Probably not. But now you know, whether you care or not, thanks to this map.
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Maps on the Web
These 30 maps will have you scratching your head and wondering who found the time and motivation to look at the world in such a strange way.
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