I truly believe that the world would be a better place if everyone read more books. Sure, what books people read would matter too but the simple act of reading makes you a more complex person and allows you to view the world from more perspectives. Source: buff.ly/b2QTxVC

Since Bulgaria is an official member of the Eurozone now, this map needed an update. Source: buff.ly/aTDUZCI

There are many recap (your year in review) charts out there at the moment. I'll raise you this map of the flight paths of Russian cruise missiles and ballistic missiles throughout 2025. Source: buff.ly/DlCuXKr

The European Correspondent shows us how different bodies define "Western Europe". Each image is displayed for 4 seconds.

This is a useful website to quickly view different map projections. Useful when you want to map a specific region and aren't sure what projection to use. Also, it's just good fun to play with: buff.ly/36nJtxQ

The chart title made me laugh...

Generationally, the US Senate is comically unrepresentative of the general US population. Source: buff.ly/SvkDT4I

Checks out.

Wait! The Taylor Swift Eras Tour made $665 million in profits!? Jesus Christ! Source: buff.ly/SvkDT4I

Guess who joined the Eurozone! Bulgaria 🇧🇬

A really cool exaggerated elevation map of California. The Central Valley produces a lot of expensive items, such as nuts and culinary fruits. It's a very lucrative source of agricultural wealth. Source: buff.ly/y5sWcKW

The "Neujahrsbrezel" in Germany is delicious but looks different (I know it as a sweet treat with sugar). Before I forget: Happy 2026!

Berlin got to live through an awful lot of history in a relatively short time.

In 1945 Time published a map called “The Floods Come” showing Allied forces pouring into Nazi Europe. Part cartography, part propaganda, part art. Red arrows, momentum, inevitability. Maps don’t just explain history. They shape it. Source: buff.ly/2LrNUhf

If your sales drop by such high percentages, it can't be explained away by the European economies not doing terribly well. I view this more as a collective FU to Musk, to Trump, to the US than anything else. An ally tossed aside looks for little gestures to gain a sense of control.

This map shows the European colonial presence in North America as of 1750.

Overall, the 1055 US adults involved in this 1998 poll did reasonably well in forecasting what will have happened by the year 2025.

Map by @JakubMarian shows us how to wish people in Europe a Happy New Year! Just that to all of you!

New Years Eve calls for a decent drink. Here is some Cocktail trivia. You deserve it! Source: buff.ly/3pdEY1i

Children labor continues to decline (but is obviously not yet a thing of the past). Source: buff.ly/lSkUOAW

Please view this "political compass placement" visual by @geoallday as your daily dose of rage bait. Surely you must disagree with some placements. The few presidents I read biographies about feel about right though.

Just how special is your blood type?

I think it is your duty to review the official list of the best 100 cheeses in the world and complain that your local favourite didn’t make the cut. Source: buff.ly/aG1Ascc

A lovely way to visualize the news cycle of the year gone by from @axios. Topics (important or unimportant, over and ongoing) enter and leave the news cycle. Source: buff.ly/TcPMSjH

I occasionally like to share these "Mercator vs Real Country Size" animations to encourage you to buy a globe. Nothing fancy - just a basic globe. It does wonders in helping you (and your kids) to understand the world. Source: buff.ly/EGdKGR3

Here are some European train journeys for your bucket list!

Eastern Europe has lost heaps of its population since the USSR fell apart.

This lovely shaded relief map of Montana reminds us that this is probably the most aptly named US State. Etymological puritans might give this title to Vermont (French for “green mountain") but I am a simple man and give the crown to Montana. Source: buff.ly/fFNBuf4

This map shows the percentage of the population with a valid passport across the world. International travel is a wonderful privilege.

The death of Brigitte Bardot necessitated the update of this marvelous chart. Only three people mentioned in Billy Joel's banger "We Didn't Start The Fire" are still alive. Source: buff.ly/cWkphRB

Japan now sees 850,000 more funerals than births each year. The gap will soon widen to 1,000,000 more deaths than births. Source: buff.ly/mKhXIpo

Based on this self reported type of research, Australians and US Americans are heaps more tolerant of other races than people might want to make you think. Source: buff.ly/2rjxsQJ

Morocco 🇲🇦 as seen from Spain 🇪🇸 (granted it’s Morocco seen through a good lens operated by a skilled photographer from Spain but it’s still very impressive!)

They used to draw these charts with the Queen, now they draw them for Putin.

Looking at this map, it took me a while to figure out what the price-to-income ratio actually shows. Only then did I see what’s going on in Portugal!

I’d love to know what the next 100 years in this chart will look like.

This data is old (2017) but it makes a point I’m not tiring to repeat: as privileged people we are terrible at estimating how good we have it. Americans and Australians think that a whopping 43% of the world are richer than they are. The median US income puts you in the top three percent globally.

I just love these type of pictures…

This vintage map showing the Japanese population in each US State in 1940 should be accompanied by a Pacific-centric world map. Geography matters. California simply is the closest US State to Japan.

I hope you get to enjoy your day off. HT @xruiztru

Every year I’m reposting this classic map to wish you a Merry Christmas 🎄

Today @civixplorer shows us the real size of Australia.

The cumulative increase in real GDP for all G7 nations since the pandemic: 🇺🇸 +15.3% 🇨🇦 +11.3% 🇮🇹 +6.3% 🇬🇧 +5.3% 🇫🇷 +5.2% 🇯🇵 +1.0% 🇩🇪 -0.2% HT @josephpolitano

Before looking at the chart: guess how old the median US home buyer was in 2025. Now look at the chart and be blown away.

A white Christmas remains the ideal scenario. Not very likely these days though in Germany.

A grinch-worthy map 😉🎄

You cannot go wrong with a Bratwurst. Source: buff.ly/VFX4QWT

A South American Christmas doesn’t sound too bad…

What is Santa called? Merry Christmas folks!

Spoiler alert: the trend will only continue in Germany. Empty regions, busy cities.