…reveals the etymological roots, or original meanings, of the familiar terms on today’s maps…
For instance, where you would normally expect to see the Sahara indicated, the Atlas gives you “The Tawny One”, derived from Arab. es-sahra “the fawn coloured, desert”….
Update: There is now a more in-depth version specifically for the United States.
(via Weasel King)
Filed under Humor and Observations
Some say Americans learn geography through wars. It seems if there is a country we are unaware of, like Serbia, Vietnam, Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, Kuwait, etc, then we go and kick some butt and get to know the place. Half of US students cannot correctly identify Mexico or Canada on a map, so I think perhaps it is time we find some reason to pick a fight with them. Just kidding of course! Although those Canadians can be kind of uppity… Anyway… The following is a map of how many Americans view the world, and I hate to say it, but it is kind of a general feeling I share:
Filed under Humor and Observations
Michael Bradley - Time Traveler 