Worldmapper: Humanising Geography
by Warren McLaren, Sydney 
on 03. 6.07
Worldmapper is an extraordinary project out of Sheffield Uni in the UK. Countries represented not by their land mass, but by their human activity. The top map shows Passenger Cars (note how fat the northern hemisphere is, compared to the south. The bottom map illustrates population (the big blobs being China and India). Now look again at Cars for those two nations. Yet compare tiny New Zealand with the entire African continent for cars per 100 people. Oh, and that purple lump to the right is Japan!
Filed this under ‘Travel and Nature’ because many of us are unaware of our place in the world. What these maps reveal, with striking visuals, is the staggering wealth of the industrialised nations in relationship to much of Asia, South America and particularly Africa. They demonstrate so clearly the North South divide between the haves and don’t haves. We whinge that energy saving, compact fluorescent bulbs give off “too white a light”, never sparing a thought for the millions that don’t even have electricity.
Nearly 30 broad categories are covered from inanimate issues like: Resources, Fuel and Production, through to real human drama, such as Poverty, Housing and Education. And there are multiple maps under each category. This is very important work that cuts through political rhetoric and as the researchers suggest, shows us “the world as we’ve never seen it.” ::Worldmapper.
As requested: the basic map, showing land area by country.
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The big ones that pop out at me are
USA
JAPAN
GERMANY
ITALY
UK
The smaller EU countries also stand out
Could you provide a map with the same color code, but by land area (a normal map)? I see it on the site, it would just be nice to have on this page.
Also, I notice that war deaths is almost the opposite of military spending.
Look at fuel usage increase from 1980-2001
The USA has a positive outlook compared to asia and the EU (especially france)
http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=120
"Yet compare tiny New Zealand with the entire African continent for cars per 100 people"
Yes, I'm ashamed to say that "clean, green" NZ has very high rates of car ownership. Blame it on low population density, generally poor public transport and a lingering "pioneer ethic" that worships land ownership and rugged independence over urban interdependency.
I'm glad to see they took into account the problems posed by mapping a spherical surface to a flat one. That was the first question that popped into my mind.
"Yes, I'm ashamed to say that "clean, green" NZ has very high rates of car ownership."
As well you should be. Why can't we be more like those proud, non-car-owning Africans, and follow their selfless example?
This is exceptional work - the "carrupt" wealthy will run over the rest. To improve it a bit more, a third image could maybe show how the cllimate change problem impacting Africa more than the west.
An excellent idea, Hamish. Is it possible to map hypothetical concepts?
Have a look at the one for container ports....China is rocking it!
Looked...at........too...many....maps.........feel like I'm in Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas.....
http://www.gapminder.org/
I dig the study of globalization and I dig Gapminder. If you're truly interested in economic growth and development as well as human development check this site out! Cheers!
Shock horror, poorer countries have less cars.
YOU ARE ALL CRAZY