facebookNothing explains the world more elegantly than a map.

In that spirit, we've compiled the 15 most excellent, unusual, and just cool maps that we've recently come across..

They cover all the bases: economics, politics, culture, immigration…and some fun stuff too.

facebook{{1}}

Nothing explains the world more elegantly than a map.

In that spirit, we've compiled the 15 most excellent, unusual, and just cool maps that we've recently come across..

They cover all the bases: economics, politics, culture, immigration…and some fun stuff too.

Worldwide Oil Import And Export Flows: Saudi Arabia is the biggest hub still. Next up is Indonesia.

Worldwide Oil Import And Export Flows: Saudi Arabia is the biggest hub still. Next up is Indonesia.{{1}}

BP

Countries exposed to China: Australia would get whacked in a hard landing. Everyone else would get hurt too.

Countries exposed to China: Australia would get whacked in a hard landing. Everyone else would get hurt too.{{1}}

Maplecroft

World Mobile Phone Usage. The BRICs Continue To Grow, At Least By This Measure.

World Mobile Phone Usage. The BRICs Continue To Grow, At Least By This Measure.{{1}}

ParsonDesign.org

World Population By Latitude: 90% Of The World Lives In The Northern Hemisphere

World Population By Latitude: 90% Of The World Lives In The Northern Hemisphere{{1}}

BigThink.com

Germany's View of Europe: Utilitarian

Germany's View of Europe: Utilitarian{{1}}

Yanko Tsvetkov / alphadesigner (via Flickr)

Greece's View Of Europe: Resentful

Greece's View Of Europe: Resentful{{1}}

Yanko Tsvetkov / alphadesigner (via Flickr)

The Cost Of Shipping 1 Lb. Of Goods Around The World: The Eurocrisis Has Decimated The Industry

The Cost Of Shipping 1 Lb. Of Goods Around The World: The Eurocrisis Has Decimated The Industry{{1}}

Morgan Stanley

Countries Most At Risk From Climate Change: Africa is in the danger zone.

Countries Most At Risk From Climate Change: Africa is in the danger zone.{{1}}

Maplecroft

The New Silk Road. The 'Stans' Have Become A Major Freight Hub For The East

The New Silk Road. The 'Stans' Have Become A Major Freight Hub For The East{{1}}

Jefferies

The Suez Canal. Without It, Northern Europe Would Wilt.

The Suez Canal. Without It, Northern Europe Would Wilt.{{1}}

Nomura

US Military Bases In The Middle East. The Number Has Exploded Over The Past Decade.

US Military Bases In The Middle East. The Number Has Exploded Over The Past Decade.{{1}}

Democratic Underground

World Bribery Map: Africa Improving, Europe Not So Much

World Bribery Map: Africa Improving, Europe Not So Much{{1}}

James Mintz Group

Facebook Users. Slowly But Surely, The Non-Anglophone World Catches Up.

Facebook Users. Slowly But Surely, The Non-Anglophone World Catches Up.{{1}}

Facebook

World Population Proportional Cartogram. The East Dominates…

World Population Proportional Cartogram. The East Dominates...{{1}}

Benjamin D. Hennig, University of Sheffield/ViewsoftheWorld.net

…While The Same Cartogram Style For World Debt Levels Shifts The Map Westward.

...While The Same Cartogram Style For World Debt Levels Shifts The Map Westward.{{1}}
 
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