The article presents a list of the top 10 maps that can change how you see the world. The maps cover various topics, including:
1. Population density: A map showing that more people live inside a circle covering China, India, Japan, and Korea than outside of it.
2. Alcohol consumption: A map illustrating the countries with the highest and lowest per-capita alcohol consumption.
3. Historical world map (1154): An old map showing the world as it was known at the time.
4. Importing countries: A map displaying which countries import the most from other countries.
5. Power outlets: A practical map showing the types of power outlets used in different countries.
6. Measurement preferences: A map illustrating which countries use the metric system and which do not.
7. Internet usage: A map showing the most popular websites in different countries.
8. Camouflage patterns: A map displaying the various camouflage patterns used by different countries.
9. Music preferences: A map illustrating the most popular songs in over 3,000 cities worldwide.
10. Heavy metal bands: A map showing the countries with the most heavy metal bands per capita.
The article also features maps on colonization, gay rights, and threats to world peace, highlighting the dynamic nature of maps and their ability to convey complex information.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. A circle covering China, India, Japan, North Korea, and South Korea contains more people than live outside of it.
2. The population of India is 1.324 billion people.
3. The population of China is 1.379 billion people.
4. China implemented a one-child policy due to its high population.
5. About 3.98 billion people live inside the circle covering China, India, Japan, North Korea, and South Korea, which is around 53% of the world population.
6. 15% of Russia is unlivable tundra.
7. Only 50-55% of Russia's land is lived on.
8. Only 2% of Australia's population lives in the highlighted area on the map.
9. Australia's population is 24.13 million people.
10. The majority of Australia's population lives on the coasts due to the country's hot and inhospitable interior.
11. The town of Coober Pedy in Australia has most of its buildings carved out of rocks underground to stay cool.
12. The UK and Europe have the highest alcohol consumption per capita.
13. Uganda has high alcohol consumption due to the cheapness and availability of home-brewed moonshine.
14. Countries in the Middle East have lower rates of alcohol consumption due to their majority Muslim populations.
15. India's rate of alcohol consumption is low despite not being a Muslim country.
16. Hinduism discourages excessive drinking in India.
17. The map shows the most popular website per country.
18. Google is the most popular website in many countries.
19. Facebook is the second most popular website in many countries.
20. Russia's most popular website is Yandex, which is the Russian equivalent of Google.
21. Yandex is used in Russia because other search engines cannot understand inflections in the Russian language.
22. The map shows the number one most listened to song in over 3000 cities.
23. The map is constantly updating in real time.
24. Kazakhstan's most popular song is "Gangnam Style" by PSY.
25. Africa's area is 30.37 million kilometers squared.
26. Africa is large enough to fit America, China, Europe, India, Japan, and Mexico inside it.
27. Greenland's size is distorted on most maps.
28. Greenland is large enough to cover almost the entire continent of Africa.
29. The map shows the countries with the most heavy metal bands per citizen.
30. Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland have the most heavy metal bands per citizen.
31. Spain held the majority of world power in 1754.
32. The UK's influence was limited in 1754.
33. The UK's empire was at its peak in 1898.
34. The UK controlled Canada, Australia, India, Egypt, and Sudan in 1898.
35. Empires started to decline after 1898.
36. The map shows where each country stands on gay rights.
37. Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan are countries where being gay is punishable by death.
38. Namibia, Angola, and Botswana are countries where being gay is still illegal but no arrests have been made in over three years.
39. The map shows the countries that citizens think are the biggest threat to world peace.
40. The majority of countries surveyed think America is the biggest threat to world peace.
41. The data for the map likely came from a WIN/Gallup International survey of 65 countries in 2013.