30 Interesting Facts About The World Represented In Unconventional Maps

Cartography is cool. Where would we be without it as a species? I, personally, wouldn’t know that my country looks like a tiny Africa and would get lost driving in any new city that I visit. We can also learn tons of cool stuff frommaps, like in which countries it’s illegal to dance on a bar.If you like learning new random facts and are partial to geography, you’ll probably love Fan Maps. It’s anInstagram pagethat features cool,interesting mapsthat let you learn something new with each different one. Eager to get some knowledge? Scroll down and check them out!To know more about mapmaking magic, we reached out toDaniel P. Huffman, a cartographer and a mapping educator. He told us more about what the day of a cartographer is like, what misconceptions people have about his job, and what’s the secret to making interesting and creative maps.Daniel Huffman:Something About Maps|Portfolio|Mastodon|PrintsThis post may includeaffiliate links.

If you like learning new random facts and are partial to geography, you’ll probably love Fan Maps. It’s anInstagram pagethat features cool,interesting mapsthat let you learn something new with each different one. Eager to get some knowledge? Scroll down and check them out!

To know more about mapmaking magic, we reached out toDaniel P. Huffman, a cartographer and a mapping educator. He told us more about what the day of a cartographer is like, what misconceptions people have about his job, and what’s the secret to making interesting and creative maps.

Daniel Huffman:Something About Maps|Portfolio|Mastodon|Prints

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Interesting-Random-Maps-Fanmaps

The story of how Daniel got into mapmaking is a long one, and he has detailed it inhis blog. But he agreed to tell us the short version, too. “I likemapsand wanted to pursue a creative profession while struggling with depression,” he told us via email.For him, making maps is a form of art. “Mapmaking is a practical art: we have to fulfill specific goals and produce something functional, but it’s also very much down to individual preferences of aesthetics and taste. It’s like any artisan — a maker of furniture or pottery or a designer of buildings, etc.”

For him, making maps is a form of art. “Mapmaking is a practical art: we have to fulfill specific goals and produce something functional, but it’s also very much down to individual preferences of aesthetics and taste. It’s like any artisan — a maker of furniture or pottery or a designer of buildings, etc.”

Interesting-Random-Maps-Fanmaps

Still, there is a fair amount of practicality in mapmaking. “Another common analogy I use is journalism,” Daniel tells us. As an educator, he often used to have journalism students in his courses, so the two disciplines somewhat overlap.“Journalists go out and gather as much information as they can, but they then curate what information is shown to the reader,” the mapmaker says. “They decide what pieces are most critical and leave off the rest. And then they use their creative skills to find a way to present that information in an engaging way.”

“Journalists go out and gather as much information as they can, but they then curate what information is shown to the reader,” the mapmaker says. “They decide what pieces are most critical and leave off the rest. And then they use their creative skills to find a way to present that information in an engaging way.”

Interesting-Random-Maps-Fanmaps

So, what do mapmakers actually do? Aside from the creativity aspect of the job, where do they get their information from? “My days are spent on the computer,” Huffman tells us.“Gathering data, processing it through specialized geographic information software tools to get the pieces that I want, and then using graphic design software to style things how I like — setting labels, choosing colors and line weights, etc. And there is a lot of email[s], of course. Going back-and-forth with my clients and such.”

So, what do mapmakers actually do? Aside from the creativity aspect of the job, where do they get their information from? “My days are spent on the computer,” Huffman tells us.

“Gathering data, processing it through specialized geographic information software tools to get the pieces that I want, and then using graphic design software to style things how I like — setting labels, choosing colors and line weights, etc. And there is a lot of email[s], of course. Going back-and-forth with my clients and such.”

Interesting-Random-Maps-Fanmaps

Apparently, mapmaking doesn’t sound so cool to everybody. “When I tell people what I do for a living, I am often met with a response like: ‘Hasn’t everything been mapped already? Why are there still mapmakers?’ These responses always surprise me. People seem very unaware of how often they interact withmaps,” Daniel points out.

Interesting-Random-Maps-Fanmaps

“We interact with maps constantly, but for some reason, people don’t stop to think of them as ‘maps’ when I tell them that I am a mapmaker. There is a person (or group) behind every map you consume,” he gives us some food for thought.

Interesting-Random-Maps-Fanmaps

“There’s nothing nefarious about that: you just make different decisions. It is the same for maps,” Huffman tells us. “We all consider our audience and make assumptions about what that audience needs to know. On a tourist map, I might choose to show certain popular buildings but probably would not show something like crime statistics, even though both of those things are part of the reality of the place.”

Interesting-Random-Maps-Fanmaps

“There’s no set answer to how to be ‘interesting and informative,’ but it helps to always keep your audience in mind. What they want, what they expect, and how easily they can read what you are trying to communicate,” the mapmaker and mapmaking educator says.

Interesting-Random-Maps-Fanmaps