Maps
The Average Terrain Colors of Countries Around the World
When you think about countries with an abundance of desert like Egypt, you generally think of yellow and orange sand colors. Likewise, countries with rainforests like Brazil most likely generate thoughts of deep greens. What color are the rest of the countries in the world?
Data visualization artist Erin Davis used satellite imagery from Sentinel-2 to illustrate the average color of the terrain in countries around the world.
Click below to zoom
The graphics use a choropleth map visualization to show the average color of the terrain in each country. Some countries, like snow-covered Greenland and Antarctica, are clearly colored how one would expect. Others take on a darker or more jewel-toned hue that reflects their unique landscapes.
The artist also illustrated the average color of each county in the United States for a more granular view of the country. The visualization highlights the forest-rich regions of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and South East as well as well as the rugged physical geography of southwestern states like Arizona and New Mexico.
Click below to zoom
There are five major classes of land biomes in the world: forests, deserts, savannah, tundra, and grasslands. The nature of these biomes heavily impact the color of the areas picked up by satellite. These are the divisions of each biome around the world:
-
- Forests (40.1%): Forest biomes are populated by various species of deciduous and evergreen trees. This type of biome also includes rainforests, one of the most important forests in the world.
-
- Deserts (25.9%): Deserts are categorized as areas with very little rainfall. Daytime temperatures are typically high and nighttime temperatures are low.
-
- Savannah (16.7%): Savannah is tropical grasslands that are somewhere between lush tropical rainforests and desert regions. Their rainfalls typically occur during summer months, which means it evaporates quickly. These areas are prone to drought.
-
- Tundra (10.5%): The climate of the tundra is extreme cold. Temperatures in the winter often go below freezing and plant life is either nonexistent or dormant for much of the year.
-
- Grasslands (6.8%): Grasslands (also known as the Prairies in North America and the Pampas in South America) are temperate regions with warm summers and cool winters.
Noise pollution can have a major impact on sleep quality, and NapLab’s latest study sheds light on the noisiest and quietest places to get a good night’s rest in the U.S. Using data from the National Transportation Noise Exposure Map, they pinpointed areas with the highest and lowest decibel levels.
Click below to zoom.
The three loudest cities were all in Colorado: Denver, Aurora, and Colorado Springs. These cities experience a mix of factors contributing to the noise, including rapid population growth, which increases traffic and construction noise. Denver International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the country, adds constant aviation sounds to Denver and Aurora. Meanwhile, Colorado Springs is home to several military bases, where aircraft activity and training exercises raise noise levels even further.
On the other hand, the quietest places for sleep were found in Zephyrhills, Florida, Cape Coral, Florida, and Lakewood Township, New Jersey. These locations benefit from a slower pace of life, less urban development, and fewer transportation hubs. Zephyrhills and Cape Coral are popular with retirees and seasonal residents, leading to quieter neighborhoods. Cape Coral also enforces strict noise ordinances to maintain a peaceful environment. Lakewood Township offers an outdoor-focused, laid-back lifestyle with activities like golfing and canoeing that contribute to its calm atmosphere.
Whether you’re seeking tranquility or braving city sounds, this map offers insight into how your environment might affect your sleep.
Ever wondered which states are the most daring behind closed doors? A recent Too Timid survey of 1,427 Americans sheds light on the most sexually adventurous states in the U.S. The study ranked states based on four key factors: the average number of sex toys owned, sexual partners, sexual experiences, and fantasies that turn people on.
Click below to zoom.
Here are the top 10 most adventurous states:
- Montana
- Iowa
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Nevada
- Alaska
- Indiana
Meanwhile, the least adventurous states include Rhode Island, North Dakota, Maine, and South Dakota.
Beyond state rankings, the study uncovered some intriguing trends in American bedrooms. The most common sexual experience is watching porn with a partner, followed by one-night stands. When it comes to fantasies, most people keep it simple, dreaming about sex with their current partner and enjoying some steamy dirty talk.
The Too Timid team highlights the positive effects of sexual openness, noting that people who embrace their sexuality often report better body image, stronger relationships, and more satisfying sex lives.
While this survey offers a fascinating glimpse into America’s intimate habits, more data and future studies could reveal even more surprising trends. Whether your state made the top ten or not, one thing’s clear—America’s curiosity about sex is alive and well!
Homelessness in the United States remains a pressing issue, especially as rates have surged by 18.1% in 2024—a historic high. Vulnerable populations face rising housing costs, mass migration, and evictions, with many renters categorized as “cost-burdened.” Meanwhile, over 14 million vacant homes exist across the country, a number that far exceeds what’s needed to house every homeless individual.
A study by the Mortgage Calculator team maps this disparity, highlighting states with the highest ratio of vacant homes to homeless individuals. Mississippi tops the list with 187.31 vacant homes per homeless person. Despite high poverty levels, the state’s low cost of living and relatively small homeless population contribute to this striking ratio. Southern states dominate the map’s highest ratios, reflecting the availability of vacant housing in rural areas. However, these areas often lack the economic infrastructure and job opportunities necessary to support new residents, complicating potential solutions.
The findings reveal stark contrasts: urban areas, where jobs are more plentiful, tend to have higher homelessness rates but fewer vacant homes, while rural states have the opposite challenge. Advocates suggest that leveraging vacant housing could significantly reduce homelessness, but practical barriers remain. Addressing this issue will require not only repurposing unused housing but also creating sustainable economic opportunities to support vulnerable populations.
This study underscores the urgent need for innovative policies and programs to bridge the gap between empty housing and homelessness, offering hope for a more equitable future.
Click below to zoom.
-
Business Visualizations5 months agoEverything Owned by Apple
-
Business Visualizations4 months agoAmerica’s Most Valuable Companies Ranked by Profit per Employee
-
Maps2 years agoThe Population Density of Europe (and the World) in Two 3-D Maps
-
Maps2 years agoWhere Have The Most Shipwrecks Occurred?
-
Maps2 years agoThe Most Popular Surnames in Countries Around the World
-
Misc Visuals2 years agoHow to Pick a Perfect Watermelon
-
Charts2 years agoThe Most Popular Sport in Every Country Around the World
-
Misc Visuals2 years agoThe Ultimate Visual Guide to Boy Scout Patches and What They Mean