This article was originally published on tv-bee and has been republished here with permission.
Before the times of GPS and cell phones, maps were the main way to find one's way from point A to point B without getting lost. Nowadays, we have maps for everything from land elevation to animal location origins. Maps are fantastic things, just ask the cartographer at the local map store, he'll be sure to feel the same way. So if you're ready to take a look at 40 of the most interesting maps of America, keep reading!
Shakin' All Over
From icy Alaska down to sunny California, one reason for not living on the West Coast of the States could be the very healthy fear of being caught in an earthquake. In reality, no matter where in America you live you run the risk of getting caught in an earthquake.
That being said, there is a dramatic difference between a massive 9.2 magnitude quake and a smaller 4.7 one. Frequency also plays a role, so keep that in mind when picking where to live!
If A Tree Falls And No One Is Around To Hear It...
To answer the age-old question...yes it still makes a noise. All because no one is around to hear the tree fall that doesn't mean no one is listening. If Orwell taught us anything, someone is always listening.
Natural loudness is measured in decibels by the noises of the wild. This could be the sound of the wind, the water, the birds, and yes, even the sound of a tree falling in the forest with no one around.
Life's Tough
Depression is a real problem amongst people of all ages and from all walks of life. Let's have a look at which parts of America are affected the most.
It may be the lack of a winning sports team or maybe it's the weather, but for some reason, the North-West and the Mid-West seem to have the largest issues with depression.
Barking Up The Wrong Tree
It's not just the diversity of its people that makes America so unique. Whether it's for building a tree fort or for getting maple syrup there is a tree for everyone.
With over a hundred different species of trees in some parts, the eastern coast of the States sports the most diverse tree population. However, with more than one thousand species of trees scattered across the country there is something for tree enthusiasts everywhere.
Higher Education
Graduating from college is meant to be a celebratory occasion for a new graduate. After all, even though 'the future is now' it often starts with crippling debt.
Upon graduating, most graduates owe more in college debts than the average American earns in one year.
Moving To The Midwest Then Huh?
It is crazy to think that the average annual salary needed to buy a house in New York City is almost double that of being a homeowner in sunny Tampa Bay. But that's nothing compared to the prices out west.
For all those who are eventually looking at retiring out west think again. An average annual salary of over $100K is needed in almost every major western city. And don't even think about the move to San Jose unless the family is bringing in at least a quarter of million dollars annually.
Big City Folk
We have just seen that mother nature on the east coast has caused more natural noise pollution than elsewhere in the country. It is now time to see where the majority of all noise pollution in America comes from (not just the natural kind).
It does not come as any surprise that the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas produce a lot of noise, however, they don't call New York 'The City That Never Sleeps' for nothing.
Two Creams And One Sugar Please
Over the past few decades, coffee culture is something that has taken the world by storm. For any Canucks heading down the east coast on a road trip, feel free to dunk those donuts but don't expect to find too many Tim Horton's around.
Starbucks has not only put itself at almost every major street corner and petrol station across the United States, it has also created its own coffee language. According to the map the majority of Americans do prefer their tall, non-fat, extra hot, no foam, one pump vanilla lattes.
That Sure Is Quite The Load
The great American railroad system has been moving supplies across the country for almost two hundred years, but these days it does not deliver the goods quite like it used to.
Out east, the waterways and highways take the majority of the loads down the coast. Out west one can always see a large number of cargo trucks hauling supplies along the national highway. It simply reaches more places these days than the railway does.
Left Out In The Cold
It is a privilege to be able to go home at the end of a long hard day but not everyone is so lucky. This is one of those maps that helps to remind us just how fortunate we all are.
Over 150,000 homeless people live in California and almost 100,000 in New York alone. That is almost a quarter of a million homeless individuals in just two states.
With or Without Pulp?
A nice glass of freshly-squeezed OJ is always nice with breakfast. It might be surprising to learn which is the only state increasing its annual orange production.
Even the orange production is bigger in Texas. Out of the three main states that produce oranges each year only Texas has shown an increase in production.
Halloween Costume for Every State
Halloween is a favorite holiday to celebrate among Americans. It's actually so popular that it's even celebrated with big Halloween parties and parades outside of the states in places like South Korea, England, and Spain. However, this map points out the most common costumes in each state. Okay, maybe it is not real, but it's a play on what would most likely be worn there! And there is no denying that it's pretty funny.
So which state do you identify with? Maybe next Halloween, you'll be a sexy umbrella? Or perhaps even a sexy bottle of water?
Expansion
Presidents are constantly attempting to leave their marks and cement their legacies. Some of them are just better at the 'Art of the Deal' than others.
Andrew Johnson purchased Alaska for only 7.2 million dollars in the year the first Canada Day was celebrated in 1867, and the Louisiana Purchase cost Thomas Jefferson a whopping 15 million dollars in 1803.
3D Map of Population Density
This map is another of those which gives a bit of a different perspective on the country.
Much like the numerous tall buildings that reside there, New York's population density also towers over that of the other states.
Everyone's Guilty Of Something
We all have that one vice that is just so hard to ignore sometimes. Let's take a look at which states are the most angelic as well as the most sinful.
If the movie 'Seven' taught us anything, it's that giving in to temptation could get us into a lot of trouble. The bottom corners of the country sure do look like a lot of fun though.
The Map of Shame
This is a map entirely dedicated to pinpointing what each state in America is worse at. It's pretty morbid and definitely takes an approach to mapping that few have seen before. Some claim this is the best worst map ever. It doesn't tread lightly and might even be offensive to some. But after all is said and done, it is one creative approach to something that could be hard to imagine were it not for this.
This might not be the best map to show in a classroom or business meeting, but it sure is entertaining.
A Map of the USA According to an Australian
This map is labeled by an Australian, which can only mean it will be insanely accurate. Okay, maybe it is not, but for someone who didn't grow up in America, they didn't do that bad. Most people who did grow up in the states don't even know the geography of the country well. Therefore, this is impressive, regardless. Let's face it, America is so big it's hard to remember anyway, right?
Considering there are fifty states in the US, it's almost as if there were fifty different countries all packed into one! So this guy definitely nailed the big ideas.
Soy Latte Please
Over the past few decades, we have seen an increase in alternative eating habits and soybeans have been the base of a lot of these products.
Thanks to the American prairies' production of soybeans for her soy latte, 'Starbucks Karen' will have one less thing to complain about.
Tis The Season
It is Christmas tradition for many families to pack themselves into the family car and head out looking for the perfect tree. Even the desert states have at least a couple of Christmas tree farms
Considering the enormous fines one would get for cutting a tree down off the side of the highway for Christmas, it's probably for the best to know where the local farm is for the holidays.
Most Used Word in Each State
At first glance, this map demonstrates the most used word in each state. If you glance at it, it seems interesting. Who knew that random words like 'data' and 'stuff' could be everyday words? Well, hate to break it to you, but this map might be lying to you. If you take a closer look and read the map closely, you'll uncover a special message that you might've almost missed.
The real message is that printing words on a map like this looks more professional and believable. That's why it's important to fact-check!
Job's Mostly Held by Immigrants
When immigrating to a new country an individual knows that they may need to work a job that they are not too fond of. It is a sacrifice that is made with the 'American Dream' in mind.
It is no big surprise to see here that most immigrants start off in a more subservient occupation, as these are the less desired jobs. A job is a job though.
Don't Forget The Stuffing
About a month before Christmas every year Americans all over the country tell their loved ones about all the things they are thankful for. Without these next farms a lot of people would be a lot less thankful every November.
Turkey farmers right across the middle eastern part of the United States work hard every year to ensure that every little pilgrim out there has the thanksgiving they deserve.
What Every State Is Known by
If Americans were to give each state a slogan, it would go something like this. Whether you agree or not and think each motto is fitting to the state, it's pretty darn funny. This is what living in America is like in a nutshell. But things might not go so smoothly if this was brought into a geography class. Best to skip over showing this map to a geography teacher.
Since maps are meant to help people understand parts of the world, this may give some cultural insight into what it's like to live in the states.
Final Resting Places
Some presidents have been put to rest in the Arlington National Cemetary while others have been laid to rest in their own hometowns. Let's take a brief look at the distribution of the burial plots for the Commander in Chiefs who are no longer with us.
Scattered across eighteen different states in addition to the District of Columbia, the deceased former presidents of the United States may be gone but they are surely not forgotten.
Locked Up
Almost every state in the country has at least one federal prison. Whatever happened to those maximum security prisons in the middle of the mountains that we see in the movies?
After seeing how many federal prisons there are in America just imagine if the funding for even a third of those prisons would go into rehabilitation instead of imprisonment.
Healthy Eating
Continuing along the lines of healthy eating, a lot of people seem to have grown tired of eating foods covered in pesticides and other chemicals for some reason.
Organic foods could cost an arm and a leg but it sure is nice to know that there's nothing toxic being sprayed onto our food.
Did You Want Fries With That?
We have already seen that McDonald's is the most popular place for people to go for some late-night drunk food, but we all have our own favorite burger place to go to if given the opportunity.
Here we see that McDonald's may be everywhere but it is not the only option. Burger King and the Queen of Dairy remain towards the top of the charts and Texans have made Sonic burger their choice.
And He's In For The Touchdown
It is absolutely no surprise that the highest-paid public employees in America are connected to sports. The success of a college or high school sports team is paramount to a town's happiness and it shows in how much they are willing to pay their coaches.
A high school football coach makes an average of around $45K a year which is not too bad at all, but it's no wonder the end game is to coach college. The average salary for a college football coach is 2.7 million dollars a year. Talk about scoring.
Mind The Bears
The American landscape is vast and beautiful. No matter where one goes in the country there are spectacular sites to be seen.
Planning an Appalachian trail walk or cross country skiing through the Rockies? Fear not, this map has it all. Just steer clear of Yetis and keep away from those picnic baskets.
A Different View Point
The map that is used in Alaskan schools has Alaska in the center and North America to the East. This is just a fun one for a bit of a different perspective.
With how secluded it is from the rest of the country it's no wonder Alaska sees the rest of America as 'that place down there'.
Route 66 Anyone?
Now that we know where the national parks are and how fast we can go, let us have a look how to get to them.
Connecting Americans with each other far and wide, the National Highway Services helps to unite all parts of America, with over 164,000 miles of roads that stretch all across the country.
Poached Or Fried?
As long as people are eating breakfast there will be a demand for eggs. More than fifty billion eggs are laid in America each year and Iowa unexpectedly leads the way in production.
Fun uneggspected fact: brown eggs come from hens with red feathers and red ear lobes while white eggs come from hens with white feathers and white ear lobes.
'I'll Get A Litre O' Cola'
Some people call them chips and others call them crisps. Some call them cookies while others call them biscuits. But what happens when the chips and biscuits make us thirsty. What do we ask for?
Depending on where we find ourselves on this cross country road trip of ours, the answer may vary. Just don't walk into a place on either coast and ask for some pop or the locals will be able to spot the tourists.
'Isn't The Speed Limit 55?'
Driving along an empty highway road with music blaring and the wind blowing through our hair can be quite a freeing experience, as long as it is done within the confines of the laws of course.
Most states do have a similar maximum speed limit but it is always better to check first before going on a road trip. Being pulled over by a state trooper is a great way to ruin a vacation.
Need A Roommate?
New York and California maybe two of the more desirable places to live in America but that may change once learning the cost of any apartment bigger than a shoebox.
Better start looking for a roommate. With an hourly wage of under $25 an hour don't even bother looking for a place with more than one room.
Locked And Loaded
It is amazing to see the percentage of Americans who have decided to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
For all those who are against guns, maybe just steer clear of the entire center of the country.
'Wanna Play A Game?'
Here's a fun one for the horror buffs out there. From the Texas Chainsaw Masacre' to '30 Days of Night', horror films have taken place in every state right across the country.
It's time to use that map of the interstate highways to get us the heck away from the midwest. And no summer camps either!
Cold War Era
Because of the fears that they would defect, it was very difficult in the times of the Soviet Union for Russians to gain permission to leave their own country. Even when they were able to leave there were limits on where they would be allowed to go once in the other countries.
From the late 50s until the end of the cold war the places in red on this map were actually the places where Soviets were not allowed to go. Kind of takes the fun out of an American vacation doesn't it.
Self-Haters
Sometimes where we come from defines who we are, alternatively, it sometimes defines who we don't want to be. One either has pride for their own state or they do not.
That pride runs in their veins otherwise they usually have an escape plan. Maybe it's because of all the noise pollution out East that's causing the lack of state pride and desire to pack up.
Origins
As we know, hundreds of years ago the United States of America was built by the hard work of immigrants from all over the world who were trying to find a better life for themselves and their families.
In the hundred years between 1820 and 1930 more than 6 million germans and 4.5 million Irish made the long journey by boat from Europe to the New World. That makes up almost 10% of the entire population of America in 1930.
Think The Drive Through Is Open?
After any big night out on the town, it is imperative to grab some grub on the way home. But which are the most frequented establishments to go to late at night in order to quench this craving?
This all depends on where we find ourselves. As great as some late-night hashbrowns and fries could be, few things are better than a nice greasy spoon breakfast, like the one we would find down in the South.
Where's That Name From?
Now that we know where the majority of Americans' ancestry lies let's have a look at where the individual states' names originated.
It is no big shock to see that the majority of the States' names are derived from Native words. What is a little amazing to learn however, is that the number of states with names of English origin is less than a dozen.
Time To Head To The Coast
We are very lucky to be living in such a scientific age. As science and medicine progress, life expectancy has been on the rise.
With all the nice weather and oranges around for vitamins, it is no wonder why California and Florida are sporting two of the higher life expectancies in America.
Land Distribution
We've now seen where in the States the soybeans are grown and even where the majority of eggs and turkeys come from, but ever wonder how much of America is protected federal wilderness or used to make maple syrup? Well, it's definitely not as much there should be.
Believe it or not, there is more land dedicated to cow farming and their pastures than any other industry in the United States.
Family Matters
We have now seen where all the highways and national parks are across the country and we know how fast we are allowed to drive in each state. We even know where most people go for food after a big night out. Now let's have a look at whose family road trip will have the most cramped car.
As we can see by this map even the family sizes are bigger in Texas. Families right across the southern part of America will have to jam pack themselves into the family car with not much leg room to spare.