Cool, interesting, and maybe funny maps of our world
Infographic maps of the world are endlessly engaging. Mainly, their popularity comes from how easily they present information using graphics and creative imagery. The rise of funny maps is a testament to this.
Want to find out the most popular last names in Europe? Or the most beloved booze across the continent? Maybe you want to know where all the billionaires live? Or which countries are the happiest and which are the most corrupt?
We’ve made a list of the 140 most interesting, coolest, funniest maps of the world, to help answer all those burning questions that you never knew needed answering!
140 Unique and Maybe Funny Maps of the World
1) Countries Not Using the Metric System
The first of these somehow funny maps is mainly about the US.
Did you know there are only 2 countries other than the US that do not use the metric system? Do you know what they are?
Burma and Liberia are 2 of only 3 countries in the entire world that do not use the metric system. See the details of each on this fascinating map!
2) The Most Famous Brand From Each State In The US
This brilliant and unique map will show you exactly what state popular American businesses came from.
3) The World According to Ancient Greeks
Greeks gave us so much, from scientific practice to theatre. But this map shows all the national stereotypes that the Greeks invented too!
4) Countries Britain Has Invaded
Britain – once the superpower of the world – has a long history of colonialism. This map shows how nearly 90% of the world has been invaded by Britain at some point in history.
5) Red Hair Map of Europe
One of the cool maps from this article shows the distribution of redheads throughout Europe on this great map.
6) Meth Labs per State
The US has some of the highest usages of crystal meth in the world. See the concentration of meth labs throughout the country with this map.
7) How Europeans See Themselves
This interesting map shows how Europeans view themselves. The Dutch? Stoned. The Greeks? Poor.
8) Europe’s Most Popular Last Names
There are some fascinating stories behind where the most popular surnames in Europe originated. The English name ‘Smith’, for instance, came from the Old English word for ‘one who works in metal’. The Austrian name ‘Gruber’ means ‘miner’.
9) Most Popular Sports in the World
This is one of the interesting maps that might change how you view the world. See which sport is most favored in different areas of the globe. And no, Americans, baseball and American football aren’t that popular outside the US.
10) Favorite TV Shows
In this map, each state is labeled with whichever TV show is the most popular. Great for fans of the small screen!
11) Breast Sizes Relating to Countries
See who has the largest breasts around the world.
12) Dogs vs Cats
Opinion is divided over which animal truly makes the greatest pet. See which one is the most popular by individual state in this map.
13) Alcohol Consumption Around the World
According to this map, the heaviest drinkers are the Irish, Russians, French, and Germans. Surprised? Maybe not. But there are some major surprises in this fascinating map.
For example – Belarus is actually the highest consumer of all, with an average of 17.5 liters of alcohol drank per person every year.
14) Political World Map as Pangea 200-300 Million Years Ago
The Earth has not always looked as it looks now. It was once a huge, single landmass. This unique map displays an overlay of the current political world over a map of the ancient Earth, to see where we would fit in the world of millennia gone by!
15) USA According To Europeans
This might be one of the funny maps we have in this article… according to Europeans. The stereotypes of the US as seen by Europeans – makes for an entertaining read.
16) Drink of Choice Around the World
According to this, Americans and Australians love beer, while Asia, Russia, and the Caribbean love spirits. Who knew?
17) Highest Earning Export Per Country
Businesspeople will find this map especially interesting. Track which exports are the highest earning by country in this handy map.
18) Who Spends the Most on Booze
You might be surprised by the answer to this – but then again maybe not (Ireland).
19) Countries With Red Color on Their Flag
You’ll be amazed at just how many countries use red in their official flag designs.
20) Countries With Blue Color on Their Flags
This map is similar to the previous, but with blue instead of red. Just as amazing!
21) Rivers Flowing Into the Mississippi River
Everyone knows the Mississippi River is mighty, but this map shows clearly just how powerful and huge it really is. Track all the rivers that feed it in this unique graphic map.
22) The Penis Size Worldwide
Need we say more?
23) Coffee Consumption Around the World
Coffee is one of the most popular tradeable goods in the world. They say machines run on oil, and people run on coffee. See here just how true that really is.
24) Historic and Present Distribution of Lions
Lions once ruled over Africa. See in this map where they were most prevalent through history, and how their population densities have changed over time.
25) Predominant U.S. Ancestry
It’s surprising where the majority of US citizens can trace their ancestry back to. Who would have guessed there were so many descendants of Germans?
26) Beer Names in Different European Languages
Let’s get back to funny maps. Europe loves beer, so it’s no surprise that the Europeans have so many different names for it.
27) How Many Hours Americans Need to Work to Pay Their Mortgage
This is one of the interesting maps in the article that makes you put things into perspective. This useful map shows how long Americans need to work in order to pay off their mortgage. It displays the information by state and takes the averages of each of these into account.
28) Freedom of Press
A free press is vital to a free society. See where in the world the press is most free – and where a journalist can be jailed for reporting the truth.
29) The Highest-Paid Job in Every State
See if you’re in the right career for you and your dreams of wealth on this map!
30) Most Consumed Alcoholic Beverage by Country
Beer seems to be the most common, except in strict religious countries where alcohol is restricted.
31) The World’s Billionaires
Billionaires have seemingly unlimited resources – for that reason they’re able to keep to themselves. There are more than most realize – 585 in the US alone! See where they mostly congregate on this map.
32) A World Map that Inverts Land and Sea
See the world in a different way with this creative map.
33) Longest Waterway
The longest waterway is 20,000 miles long. See it here!
34) Where Tourists Spend the Most Money
This map can be handy in helping you find a destination that is a little off-the-beaten-track. Typical destinations like France or Spain spend tens of billions on tourism, whereas somewhere like Cyprus spends a lot less. This is a good indication of where might be less busy.
35) Worldwide Driving Orientation
See visually which side of the road drivers use in different parts of the world.
36) The Best (and Worst) Places for Millennials to Make a Living
Millennials are the first generation in decades to earn less than the generation before them. See here which areas pay the most to help fight that trend!
37) Prevalence of Obesity
Obesity is an ongoing health crisis in many countries around the world. See which are the most afflicted with this interesting map.
38) Least and Most Peaceful Countries in the World
Some areas of the world are more war-torn than others. See which is which here.
39) Map Of Most Attractive Citizens in Europe
Europe is known for its beautiful people. See where they all are here!
40) Biggest Companies per Country
See which company dominates in each country with this fascinating map.
41) Hazardous Wastes by Country
It seems as though Russia struggles the most with toxic waste. Use this map to see which areas of the world also have this problem.
42) United States According to Autocomplete
And back again to one of the funny maps. Google autocomplete is the source of many funny anecdotes. See what is most commonly searched by location on this map!
43) Most Popular Messaging App in Every Country
Everyone has their own personal favorite messaging app. See which are the most commonly used here!
44) Total Fertility Rate Map
See the fertility rate of different areas.
45) Civilian Gun Ownership
Who’s packing the highest number of weapons? It’s no surprise it’s the US! Americans own nearly half of all civilian-owned guns in the world. See what the figures are in different parts of the globe.
46) Map of the World in Proportion to Population
See the world differently here with the map that translates population density into geographical data.
47) The Most Energy Used in the U.S.
Cities use the most energy, but see how that looks across the world.
48) Different Alphabets Around the World
Every culture has its own version of the alphabet. See how they compare with this interesting map.
49) The Wealthiest Nations
Japan, Iceland, and Australia are all prospering from various specific industries. See how the world compares.
50) World’s Population Concentrated in One City
This is a unique look at the world’s population and how it would look in one city. It really puts things into perspective!
51) World Religions
More than 2.2 billion people worldwide describe themselves as Christians. Islam has around 1.8 billion followers. See a more detailed look on this fascinating map.
52) Map of the Most Popular Surnames in the United States
You’ll be surprised which surnames crop up the most in the US!
53) The Most Corrupt Nations
It may give a fairly bleak outlook of the world, but according to this map more than two-thirds of countries around the world score below 50 on the scale of 0 – 100 in terms of how corrupt they are. Denmark is winning, apparently being viewed as the least corrupt!
54) Lightning Intensity Map
See which parts of the world are struck by lightning the most. This map gives you a fascinating look at lightning patterns across the globe.
55) IQs in Europe
The European Union is home to the highest amount of smart people in the world. At the top of the list is Finland, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
56) Map of the Earth With Mercator Projection Using a Different Centerpoint
This shows the Earth in a very different way to what we’re used to! Well worth a look.
57) Europe’s Most Populous Cities
For most countries, their most populous cities are their capital. But this is not true for three. For example, in Turkey, the most populous city is not the capital Ankara, but Istanbul.
58) Time Zones in Antarctica
Antarctica is massive – so massive that it spans multiple time zones! See more on this brilliant map.
59) U.S. Confederate States
See how the country looked in 1861 before the Civil War. It looks like a very different place to how it looks these days.
60) If US Cities Had Kept Their Original Names
You might be surprised to learn what these well-known US cities used to be called!
61) U.S. Gender Pay Gap
In some states, women make just 70% of what men make! Even the better states are still falling short.
62) The Most Photographed Places In The World
Perhaps it’s no surprise that Europe is one of the most photographed places in the world!
63) Federal Aid Granted to U.S. States
All sorts of disasters can lead to a state receiving federal aid. See which ones receive it most here!
64) U.S. Nuclear Reactors
There are 98 nuclear reactors powering millions of homes across the states! According to this map, the east coast is a particular hotspot.
65) How Many Beers Will Minimum Wage Get You In Europe?
See how far your money goes across Europe!
66) The World’s Happiest People
You may be surprised (or not!) to see which places are the happiest in the world. Scandinavia, Australia, and Canada take the prize!
67) More People Live Inside This Circle Than Outside Of It
You will most likely never complain about overcrowding again after seeing this.
68) U.S. Minimum Wage
See which states raised their minimum wage in 2019. In some areas, the wage was raised to $15.69 per hour!
69) Metal Bands Per 100,000 People
Metalheads of the world unite!
70) The Best Cities for Working Mothers in the U.S.
This comprehensive map factors in a huge range of data points, such as benefits, neighborhood safety, school rankings, medical care, and more. See which areas of the US are best for working mothers!
71) Google Autocomplete Results: Europe
See what Europeans love to search for!
72) Cartoon Map of Europe, 1914
See how Germany in 1914 may have seen the threats surrounding them with this cartoonish map!
73) Google Autocomplete Results: USA
This time, see what Americans love to search for! The similarities with Europe may shock you…
74) The U.S. Opioid Crisis
This crisis is rapidly growing in the US. See how this epidemic is spread across the nation in this harrowing map.
75) Google Autocomplete Results: Asia
See what those in Asia love to search for, and how it compares to the rest of the world!
76) The World’s Lactose Intolerance
We really feel for those that cannot enjoy the wonders of cheese.
77) Countries Ranked By Emotional Tendencies
See who has the hottest heads or the coolest tempers in the world!
78) 2016 Presidential Election Votes
See how the share of votes was spread across the country during the most contentious election of recent years. Red is Trump, while blue is Clinton.
79) People In The EU, Aged 25-34, Who Still Live With Their Parents
For many of this age, living with their parents is still the only financial option.
80) Worldwide Tipping
Tipping amounts can vary by location for numerous reasons. Some countries pay higher wages, making tipping less common.
81) Where To Be Born Index
See where the best place to be born in the world is!
82) U.S. Refugees
See how many refugees are admitted into the US. The conflict in Syria has devastated the country, leading many to try and find a better life elsewhere. The UN estimates that around 13.5 million Syrians became refugees in 2017 alone.
83) The World Divided Into Regions With A GDP of 1 Trillion Dollars
See all mthe rich countries in one place!
84) World Map, 1595
The world was so different back then that it may as well have been an alien planet! This mapdates back to 1595 when King Philip II of Spain ruled over a huge part of the world.
The quote at the bottom translates to, “For what human affairs can seem important to a man who keeps all eternity before his eyes and knows the vastness of the universe?”
85) 2% of Australia’s Population Lives In This Region
Huge areas of this vast country are uninhabitable. See where people live with this map!
86) World Map, 1700
The world was vastly different then. The Mughal Empire was in full bloom, and the Qing empire was at its height. See more on this map!
87) Highest-Paid U.S. Public Employees By State
This great map shows who earns the most in the public sector. Apparently, football coaches get great pay!
88) Educational Backgrounds of World Leaders
See where our leaders were educated!
89) How The World Would Look If Mapping Conventions Were Flipped Upside-Down
There’s no up or down in space. Because of this, it’s just a tradition for us to place the northern hemisphere at the top of a map. See what the world looks like with this reversed!
90) Most-Popular Type Of Alcoholic Beverage
See which alcohol is favored, and where!
91) Cold War Map, 1962
See how each side of the Cold War looked laid out on a map of the world.
92) The World Divided Into Seven Regions, Each with a Population of One Billion
See how the world would look if the population was spread out evenly!
93) Water Consumption Around the World
The amount of water needed to keep the world moving is truly staggering. See this visually on this great map.
94) Greatest And Lowest Racial Tolerance By Country
Different parts of the world respond differently to foreign visitors. Areas marked in red are maybe best avoided!
95) Birthright Citizenship Around the World
This interesting map shows birthright citizenship data by area!
96) Grapes Yielded by Country
Every area produces a different kind of grape – and therefore a different flavor of wine!
97) Cigarettes Smoked Per Person
If you’re traveling and you smoke, it’s good to know where you can smoke and where you can’t. This map can help with that!
98) Monarchies in the World
See a map of the monarchies of the world!
99) Flags Around the World
Can you identify a country just by its flag? Test yourself with this map!
100) Where People Feel The Most And Least Loved
A map of love! Or maybe the lack of love?
101) What Antarctica Looks Like Beneath the Ice
Antarctica is a frozen land, but there is more than just ice there! Beneath the freeze lies mountains, lakes, and maybe even frozen forests!
102) Europe vs. the USA: Sunshine Duration In Hours Per Year
See what locations get the most sun at different times!
103) European Hand-Washing Routines
Handwashing is more important than ever before. You may be concerned with the numbers of people in Italy who don’t wash their hands. Just as well – the food is so good!
104) The Most Popular Countries In The World To Visit
See which countries are favored most by travelers.
105) The Most-Listened-To Artist In Every U.S. State
According to this map, Jay-Z and Drake are the most popular in the US.
106) How Much Americans Need to Retire By 35
According to this map, if you want to retire by the age of 35, you will need $1.5 million! In California, this becomes $2.37 million!
107) Craft Breweries in the U.S.
The western US has seen a huge increase in craft breweries in recent years. See more details on this great map!
108) Europe During Medieval Times
Charlemagne ruled most of Europe until his death in 814. See the political situation of Europe throughout the medieval period with this riveting map!
109) Viking Invasions
Around the same time, Vikings invaded much of Europe from the north.
110) Eisenhower’s Interstate System
President Eisenhower created the US Interstate System in 1956, involving more than 46,000 miles of roads, and costing $129 million! See this on a fascinating map here.
111) Student Loan Debt in America
There is around $1.5 trillion of student debt in the US. This is increasing exponentially as the years go by.
112) The U.S.’ Google Searches of European Countries
Many Americans apparently want to learn about World War One and the European Union. But when it comes to Googling Norway, the most popular search is about the penguin that was knighted by the country!
113) America’s State Flags
Can you name each state by its flag?
114) Trans-African Highway Network Map
Plan your drive around Africa with this detailed map of the African highway network, stretching through multiple African countries.
115) Europe’s High-Speed Trains
Want to get around Europe? This comprehensive train network is your best bet!
116) Languages Spoken in China
Such a vast country stretching across 3.7 million square miles with almost 1.4 billion people could never speak just one language!
117) Formula One Race Countries
See which countries hosted Grand Prix races in 2019!
118) The World’s Democracy
Multiple factors were taken into account to judge how democratic each country is in the making of this fascinating map!
119) The Roman Empire at Its Peak
The Romans ruled over most of Europe, northern Africa, and parts of the Middle East by the year 117 AD. However, by 476 AD the Empire had collapsed.
120) American Territories Acquired By Presidents
The US seized huge amounts of land when it became a nation. See where here!
121) How to Say ‘Thank You’ in Europe
Keep this handy for your next trip so you know how to express your gratitude!
122) Jeans Colors in U.S. States
Everyone has their preference – what’s yours?
123) Where Fictional Characters Are From in the U.S.
Which character pops up twice on this fun map?
124) Map of Every European City
I think we can all see a bit of truth on this map!
125) Where Girls Are Less Educated Than Boys
Certain countries make it hard or even impossible for girls to go to school. According to UNESCO, 15 million girls will never go to school. See where on this map.
126) Where Parrots Live
See which countries have the most parrots! (Colombia wins with 1,878!)
127) North America’s Forests
There are 300 billion trees in the US alone!
128) How Long It Takes to Earn $1 in Asia
According to this map, it can take more than an hour to make one dollar in many countries such as Yemen, India, and Vietnam. It can take even longer in others!
129) Bike Lanes in Europe
There are more bikes than people in the Netherlands– 1.3 per human!
130) The Byzantine Empire
This once great empire surrounded the Mediterranean Sea and ruled from 330-1204 and 1261-1453. Once considered “New Rome”, this empire was a superpower until overtaken by the Turks and the Ottoman Empire.
131) World Map of Last Executions (and the Methods)
The only country in Europe still with a death penalty in place is Belarus!
132) Map of Colonization, 1885
The UK comes out on top of all colonial powers here.
133) Major World Powers, 1945
Up through 1945, the UK continued to be the dominating force, particularly in Africa.
134) The World’s Oil Resources
The US and Russia are two giants in oil production.
135) The World’s Gold
Certain areas are blessed with high gold deposits. See where on this map and get digging!
136) How Often Europeans Speak English
It’s no surprise that the UK speaks the most English in Europe – of course!
137) Each State’s Most Impactful Invention
Each state is known for something. What’s yours known for?
138) Map of Speed Limits
Germany has no speed limits!
139) Landlocked Countries
On this map, green countries are landlocked. Purple ones are doubly landlocked!
140) Wikipedia Contributors Around the World
Africa has the fewest number of Wikipedia writers out there. It’s no surprise, considering just a quarter of Africans have access to the internet!
If you liked this article about funny maps, you should also check out this article with map illustration examples.
We also wrote about a few related subjects like the map elements, map vector, what is a vector map, interactive maps, the choropleth map and how to make one, thematic map examples, statistical maps, and all the types of maps out there.
A bit obvious by now, but we really like maps so we wrote even more about subjects like metro maps, fantasy maps, and even the US electoral map.
I take it you like maps as well so make sure to check out MapSVG, a great WordPress maps plugin you should check out.
