Cartograms - a different way of mapping world data

Worldmapper is a collection of world maps, using equal area cartograms where territories are re-sized on each map according to a particular variable.

In the first map the territories are proportional to their land area. In the second one the territories are in proportion to their population. The largest is China, bright green. The next largest is India, orange. Are you surprised by the relative sizes of Japan, purple, or of North America or Africa ? Population is just one variable. Every map is of a different variable, and the sizes of each territory are in proportion to the value of that particular variable.

There are 366 maps you can view and download. They are also available as PDF posters. Worldmapper is definetly worth a visit.