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If you were born in the last 30 years, there’s a good chance you’ve never actually had to rely on a paper map. You might have seen them at amusement parks or folded up in the glove compartment of your dad’s car. But you probably weren’t using them to navigate from the passenger seat while on a road trip with your best friend.

Despite the fact that the majority of the world now uses apps to provide us with directions, there will always be a place for maps. And if you disagree, I hope that the Amazing Maps Instagram page will help change your mind. This account has amassed nearly 75K followers for sharing fascinating maps of the world, along with fun facts and interesting statistics. Below, you’ll find some of their most intriguing posts, so be sure to upvote all of your favorites. And keep reading to find a conversation with map expert Ivos Gajdorus from Mapotic!

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#1 In 1992, Around 29,000 Rubber Ducks Fell Off A Cargo Ship In The Pacific Ocean. This Is Where They Made Landfall

Image credits: amazingmap

#2 The Red And Orange Areas Have Equal Population

Image credits: amazingmap

#3 Each Section Has 10% Of The World’s Population

Image credits: amazingmap

To learn more about maps from an expert, we got in touch with Ivos Gajdorus from Mapotic. Mapotic is a startup driving geospatial innovation since 2018. Originally launched as an interactive map builder for creators and communities, it has evolved into a platform delivering custom B2B mapping solutions.

By fusing satellite, IoT, location, and metadata from various sources, Mapotic creates powerful, user-friendly web and mobile applications. And today, it serves sectors including wildlife tracking, travel and tourism, logistics, and civic projects.

#4 Regional Giraffe Patterns

Image credits: amazingmap

#5 Virgin Forest Cover 1620 vs. Today

Image credits: amazingmap

#6 Historical And Current Grizzly Bear Range In North America

Image credits: amazingmap

First, we wanted to hear why Ivos believes maps are so important. “The question of ‘where’ is deeply embedded in most human activities,” he shared. “Maps are a powerful form of visual interpretation that help us make sense of locations — especially those we are not familiar with. They turn complex spatial information into something understandable and usable.”

We also asked the expert if he happens to have a favorite map. “One of the most impactful maps powered by the Mapotic platform is the Ocearch Shark Tracker, which helps the global community better understand changes in our oceans by tracking the movement and behavior of sharks. They reveal patterns and shifts we would otherwise miss.”

#7 A Portuguese Propaganda Poster Showing The Size Of Portuguese Colonial Possessions Compared To Europe

Image credits: amazingmap

#8 Kiribati Is The Only Country In The World That Is In All Four Hemispheres

Image credits: amazingmap

#9 Passenger Trains In The United States vs. Europe

Image credits: amazingmap

If you’re interested in making your own maps, Ivos shared some advice. “Before creating a map, think carefully about the information structure,” he shared. “Maps are just one way to interpret data, and thoughtful categorization and classification are key for building complex maps that are easy to navigate and understand.”

#10 Xinjiang, China. The Farthest Place On Earth From Any Ocean

Image credits: amazingmap

#11 The First World Map By Anaximander Of Miletus (610bc-546bc), Greek Philosopher

Image credits: amazingmap

#12 A Map Of The World Constructed From Time Zones

Image credits: amazingmap

Finally, Ivos shared a fun fact about ancient maps. “According to many sources, the oldest known map dates back around 25,000 years. It was carved into a mammoth tusk and discovered in Pavlov, Czech Republic — proof that even prehistoric people didn’t like getting lost.”

You can learn even more about the topic right here!

#13 Railways In China, 2008 vs. 2020

Image credits: amazingmap

#14 Comparing The Urban Areas Of European Capitals

Image credits: amazingmap

#15 The Distance From Perth To Sydney Is Greater Than The Distance From Paris To Moscow

Image credits: amazingmap

As for why maps are so important, Mike Duggan, author of All Mapped Out, wrote a piece for The Conversation noting that they don’t just tell us where we are, but also who we are. Duggan explains that most of us are constantly tracking where we are, just by carrying our cell phones around with us. But that data can reveal lots of information about our cultures, habits and lifestyles. Do you spend hours every week sitting in your local library? Or do you track all of your runs and bike rides on your phone? Your GPS history might even help someone predict exactly where you’ll be on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

#16 The Largest White Ancestry In Every US County

Image credits: amazingmap

#17 Countries Where Cheek Kissing Is A Common Greeting

Image credits: amazingmap

#18 A Map Comparing Actual Distances To Their Representation On The Mercator Projection

Image credits: amazingmap

“With my book, I hope to inspire another look at maps, first through the lens of navigation, perhaps the activity mostly strongly associated with maps, then through movement and how maps shape our perception of it,” Duggan writes.

He explains that, contrary to what many people believe, maps aren’t inherently neutral. They’re often created with certain biases or objectives in mind. So we should consider how they shape our opinions and movements when we look at them.

#19 The Highest Grossing Singer/Musical Artist/Band From Each US State

Image credits: amazingmap

#20 Cycle Paths Of Europe

Image credits: amazingmap

#21 How Old Are Americans When They Get Married?

Image credits: amazingmap

And if you’ve ever assumed that the world has enough maps already, think again. Duggan writes that, as the world continues to evolve, we need to update our maps as well. “My hope is to create a conversation – one that so far is only being had in a small corner of map studies – encouraging people to think beyond the assumptions society has about maps and how we use them.”

#22 The 25 Largest Lakes In The World, Side By Side

Image credits: amazingmap

#23 United States Gdp, Split In Half

Image credits: amazingmap

#24 What The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Looks Like Layered Over The USA

Image credits: amazingmap

We hope you’re enjoying this list of fascinating maps, pandas! Keep upvoting all of your favorites, and let us know in the comments down below what the most interesting map you’ve ever seen was. Then, if you’d like to check out even more maps that will teach you something new about our world, we’ve got the perfect Bored Panda list for you to read next right here!