Strange Maps

[GWR]

There are some pretty novel & bizarre mapsites out there. Glad if readers could post a few personal favorites

[GWR]

This site blows me away; which probably indicates a longstay in the nuthatch is long overdue:-

http://home.att.net/~bpatftw/index.html

http://home.att.net/~bpatftw2/cambodge.jpg



http://home.att.net/~bpatftw3/burmaq1.jpg

And Beermats:-

http://home.att.net/~bpatftw2/buckleys2.jpg

This site gets even more bizarre as you go on. Here's a link to postcards with railways, geology, airlines & posters:-

http://home.att.net/~bpatftw/topndx.htm

http://home.att.net/~bpatftw/cornpost.htm
http://home.att.net/~bpatftw2/rygrtwn.jpg
http://home.att.net/~bpatftw2/ryalphaln.jpg
http://home.att.net/~bpatftw2/purbeckl.jpg
http://home.att.net/~bpatftw2/ltm274.jpg
http://home.att.net/~bpatftw2/irishair.jpg

[GWR]

Many Interactive maps of American & Canadian Ghosttowns. The music can get a bit galling after a while:-
http://www.ghosttowns.com/

[GWR]

Follow this link to discover the 'participatory' nature of the map:-

http://www.zen-style.com/

http://www.zen-style.com/images/vakaworld_050324.gif

[jpatokal]

Brilliant! Finally a map that ends all that pesky confusion about Thailand and Taiwan... :D

[ncr]

Cool. :D :D :D

A couple more cool "distorted perception" maps apparently designed by readers of his site (you can send in your own):

http://www.zen-style.com/world/

The best examples can be found at the top (involve a lot of US bashing though).

Also read this funny piece:
Microsoft moves Switzerland to Russia (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/04/ms_relocates_switzerland/)

[GWR]

FEATURED FRONTPAGE:
I could see tabloid journalists finding this useful. World Prejudice Map according to Google:-

http://blog.outer-court.com/prejudice/

Courtesy of Thaitronic (http://thaitronic.co.th/)

[ncr]

That's a great game!

Someone should complete this map....

I tried it out for our South East Asian neighbours and this is what Google gave me:

Cambodians are known for waking up very early in the morning.
Cambodians are known for their long memories and need for revenge.
Cambodians are known for their love of the sensuous gifts of nature.
Cambodians are traditionally known for being optimistic.
Cambodians are well known for their friendliness.
Cambodians are known for the Khmer Rouge killing millions of Cambodians.

Laotians are known for their light-hearted, easy-going manner.
Laotians are known for their slow & gradual.... [truncated]
Lao people are known for their gentle polite nature and for their charming hospitality.
Lao people are known for their considerable cultural and ethnic diversity, with more than 47 different, distinct ethnic language groups living in Lao PDR.
Lao are known for their great skill in all elements of the arts.
Lao textiles are known worldwide for the complexity of the techniques used and the richness of their patterns, as well as the ability and the patience of their creators.
That phrase that Lao are known for, "Boh behn yang doh." [=mai pen rai]
The general mentality that khon Lao are known for, gentle, patient, easy-going, etc.

Burmese are known for their outgoing, loving personality.
Burmese are known for their simple hospitality and friendliness.
Burmese are known for their strength and ingenuity.
The Burmese people are known for their gentle friendliness and unspoilt charm.
Burmese Pythons are known for their docile temperament.
The Burmese generals are not known for their susceptibility to international pressure. :rolleyes:

The Vietnamese are known for their arts and crafts made out of wood, animal skin and horns, as well as tortoise and oyster shells.
Thais and Vietnamese are known for their excellent dishes and culinary fare using coconut.
The Vietnamese are known for several special things. :confused:
Vietnamese Americans are known for their passionate protests against the Communists ruling their homeland, but they are not known for militant responses to issues they face in this country.
Vietnamese prisons are known for their harsh, unsanitary conditions, manual labor,and compulsary and frequent repenting for one's crimes, often in writing.
Vietnamese are known for individualism.
Vietnamese are well known for their notoriety. :eek:
Vietnamese people are known for their gentleness, politeness, and careful manners.

And Malaysia is already on the map, but here's more:

Malaysians are known for hijacking cultures. :confused:
[We] Malaysians are known for an innate inability to laugh at ourselves.
Malaysians are known for their friendliness, even strangers on the street will make you feel welcome.
Malaysians are known for their generosity.
Malaysians are known for their warmth, friendliness and caring attitude.
Malaysians are known for their friendliness and easy going ways.
Malaysians are known for their manners.
Malaysians are known for being hospitable, spontaneous and warm-hearted.
While Malaysians are known for being warm and friendly, they are not known for their world-class service.
Malaysians are known for their NATO policy (no action - talk only). :p

Anyone else wants to do this with yet other nationalities? .....or for a change, try substituting an expression like "....are notorious for *" in Google search --- it yields very interesting results :)

[jpatokal]

Somebody beat me to it (http://lionel.weblogs.us/2006/01/13/according-to-google-people-in-the-world-are-known-for/), but Singaporeans are known for...

kiasu (afraid to lose) mentality
music
unity
business acumen
being unkind
eating habits
avid interest in orchids
terrible telephone ettiquettes
not knowing much about history
love of good cuisine

And Malays (!= Malaysians) are known for...

"dry" curry
rallying together in times of crisis
budi bahasa (common courtesy)
"tidak apa" attitude
plethora of finger foods
creativity
hypocrisy
lazy
generosity

[ncr]

What is tidak apa? The Malay version of mai pen rai?

[jpatokal]

What is tidak apa? The Malay version of mai pen rai?
Yes, almost exactly. The literal translation is "not what".

- Apa? "What?"
- Tidak apa... "Not what..."

[GWR]

Featured Frontpage (http://www.2bangkok.com/) yesterday, with thanks to our reader Dan. The Strange Maps blog:

http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/

http://strangemaps.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/truelove.jpg

This early 20th century postcard, Shewing the Course of the Truelove River, charts that stream from its two headlands in the Fancy Free Plateau (Angelina River) and at Indifference Hill (Edwin River). Those two flows unite at the Falls of Dislike, follow a united course as the Truelove River through the Valley of Disdain – between the Mountains of Melancholy and Determination Hills.

After the Evasion Rapids, a river branch dead-ends at Despair Marsh, while its main flow turns sharply south at Pity Bend, then avoiding Friendship Corner to reach Tenderness Crossing, Kissing Ford and eventually Trothplight.

Then Opposition Bend, Angrysire, Separation Deep and Misery Marsh complete the encirclement of Sentimental Meadow. When the river flows out of Misery Marsh via Correspondence Outlet, it manages to slide by Richrival Bend, Sickbed and Sinking.

The localities of Fathersheart, Telegraph and Convalescence (all across the river from Bannshire), the Truelove River opens up into License Channel at Nameday. After Ring Cape, Altar Bay and Honeymoon Island, the Truelove River has morphed into the limitless Sea of Matrimony.