9 Maps to Change How You See the World

Image by Flickr user “Caveman Chuck” Coker

Maps give us a graphic understanding of the world around us – whether it be global geography or the tricky intersection just around the corner. They help us to grasp concepts of size and distance… but what about IQ scores and vegetation? Or flags? This creative and varied collection of world maps will open your mind, no matter where you live or how much coffee you've had today.

1. NATIONAL IQ SCORES

This first map shows average national IQ scores – a score derived from standardized tests to assess intelligence. The jury's still out as to why IQ scores vary so much around the world, with theories ranging from environmental factors to genetic influence.
DID YOU KNOW? Singapore boasts the highest national IQ score, with an average of 108.

Image: Target Map

2. FLAGS OF THE WORLD

This creative map needs little explanation – just check it out and enjoy!
DID YOU KNOW? Switzerland and the Vatican are the only two countries with square-shaped flags.

Image: Imgur

3. PAID MATERNITY LEAVE

Parental leave is a hot topic these days, in terms of both length and alternation between mothers and fathers. This map gives a broad sense of global positions.
DID YOU KNOW? The US is one of eight countries (out of 188 with known policies) without paid maternity leave.

Image: The New York Times

4. VISUALIZING GLOBAL POPULATION DENSITY

While we all vaguely know that Asia is densely populated, this simple map and illustration makes that understanding starkly clear.
DID YOU KNOW? Macau is the world's most densely populated country, closely followed by Monaco.

Image: Imgur

5. NATIONAL ATTITUDES TO FOREIGNERS

This surprising and interesting map uses data from the World Economic Forum, to rate how welcoming countries are to foreign visitors. The information was gathered using a survey in which people were simply asked, "How welcome are foreign visitors in your country?"
DID YOU KNOW? According to the data, the three countries in which foreigners are most welcome are Iceland, New Zealand and Morocco.

Image: The Washington Post

6.FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Scandinavia and northern Europe stand out as the frontrunners in this 2013 map, which shows respect for media freedom. We'd certainly like to see some more white on this one in years to come!
DID YOU KNOW? Finland – also known for its awesome baby boxes – has stood out as the country that most respects free press for three years running.

Image: Reporters Without Borders

7. VEGETATION ON EARTH

The dark green on this map indicates areas lushest in vegetation, while the pale colors point to areas which are sparse in vegetation cover - due to snow, drought, rock, or urbanization.
DID YOU KNOW? This incredible map was built using data from the Visible-Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite instrument on board the NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP satellite.

Image: NASA/NOAA

8. ANNUAL COFFEE CONSUMPTION PER CAPITA

This highly caffeinated map shows the amount of coffee consumed annually (in kilograms) by each person in a given country or region. The global trend has been rising upward since the economic downturn of 2007.
DID YOU KNOW? The current world total coffee consumption stands at 1.3kg per person per year. Coffee anyone?

Image: Charts Bin

9. TYPOGRAPHIC TEXT

Last but certainly not least, this artistic creation depicts each of the world's countries using its name, shaped to be geographically correct. Smart AND pretty!
DID YOU KNOW? Like this map the most? You can buy it on our favorite handmade marketplace, Etsy.

Why States Still Use Barrel Bombs

Smoke ascends after a Syrian military helicopter allegedly dropped a barrel bomb over the city of Daraya on Jan. 31.(FADI DIRANI/AFP/Getty Images) Summary Barrel bombs are not especially effective weapons. They are often poorly constructed; they fail to detonate more often than other devices constructed for a similar purpose; and their lack of precision means they can have a disproportionate effect on civilian populations. However, combatants continue to use barrel bombs in conflicts, including in recent and ongoing conflicts in Africa and the Middle East, and they are ideally suited to the requirements of resource-poor states. Analysis Barrel bombs are improvised devices that contain explosive filling and shrapnel packed into a container, often in a cylindrical shape such as a barrel. The devices continue to be dropped on towns all over Syria . Indeed, there have been several documented cases of their use in Iraq over the past months, and residents of the city of Mosul, which was re

Russia Looks East for New Oil Markets

Click to Enlarge In the final years of the Soviet Union, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev began orienting his foreign policy toward Asia in response to a rising Japan. Putin has also piloted a much-touted pivot to Asia, coinciding with renewed U.S. interest in the area. A good expression of intent was Russia's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2012 in Vladivostok, near Russia's borders with China and North Korea. Although its efforts in Asia have been limited by more direct interests in Russia's periphery and in Europe, Moscow recently has been able to look more to the east. Part of this renewed interest involves finding new export markets for Russian hydrocarbons. Russia's economy relies on energy exports, particularly crude oil and natural gas exported via pipeline to the West. However, Western Europe is diversifying its energy sources as new supplies come online out of a desire to reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies . This has

LONDON POLICE INDIRECTLY ENCOURAGE CRIMINALS TO ATTACK RUSSIAN DIPLOMATIC PROPERTY

ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE A few days ago an unknown perpetrator trespassed on the territory of the Russian Trade Delegation in London, causing damage to the property and the vehicles belonging to the trade delegation , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during the September 12 press briefing. The diplomat revealed the response by the London police was discouraging. Police told that the case does not have any prospects and is likely to be closed. This was made despite the fact that the British law enforcement was provided with video surveillance tapes and detailed information shedding light on the incident. By this byehavior, British law inforcements indirectly encourage criminals to continue attacks on Russian diplomatic property in the UK. Zakharova’s statement on “Trespassing on the Russian Trade Mission premises in London” ( source ): During our briefings, we have repeatedly discussed compliance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, specif

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