Maps

The Most Popular Surnames in Countries Around the World

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Depending on where in the world you live, the most popular surname in your country will be wildly different. In the United States (and many other English-speaking countries), the most popular surname is Smith. Reddit user u/saadtheking posted a graphic that visualizes the most common surname in every country around the world. Read on to see which surname is the most popular in your country!

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most-common-last-name-chartistry

The graphic utilizes a heat map visualization to not only showcase the most popular surnames in each country, but also the meaning behind them. Some surnames come from occupations (Smith in English-speaking countries), characteristics (Nowak, which means “newcomer” in Polish), and ancestral names (Hernandez in Mexico, which means son of Hernando/Fernando).

What are the most common surnames in the world? The world’s most popular surname is Wang, which an estimated 107 million people around the world have. It is the most common last name in China. Li/Lee is also a very popular surname with more than 100 million having it as their last name.

Smith is the most popular surname in many English-speaking countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. The surname originated in England and traditionally meant to refer to people who worked with metals (like blacksmiths). Surnames related to smithing and blacksmithing are found in other countries around the world as well. Smidt, Schmidt, Smits, Ferreira, and Kowal are other smithing-related surnames that are commonly found around the world.

Does your surname make the list of most popular surnames around the world?

 

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Finance Visualizations

Which U.S. Counties Are the Most Generous?

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The United States is consistently recognized for its charitable spirit, often ranking highly on the World Giving Index by the Charities Aid Foundation. Americans are undeniably enthusiastic about supporting causes and helping others. Recently, Harmony and Healing conducted a study to identify which U.S. counties are the most charitable.

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What Are the Most Charitable Counties in the United States?

Using IRS tax data, the researchers analyzed income and charitable contributions, focusing on the percentage of income donated. This approach allowed them to spotlight the counties with the most generous residents.

Leading the list is Benton County, Arkansas, where residents donate an impressive 15.56% of their income. On average, this equals $29.41 per person. Researchers believe this high level of generosity is influenced by the Walmart headquarters located in the county. With Walmart employing nearly half of Benton County’s residents, the company’s philanthropic culture may inspire local giving habits.

New York County, home to Manhattan, comes in second. Known for its wealth and festive spirit, especially during the holiday season, the area’s residents seem inspired to give back. The combination of high incomes and a culture of holiday cheer likely contributes to its ranking.

Third place goes to San Mateo County in California. Notably, this county is among several in the state to make the top ten, suggesting Californians are particularly committed to charitable giving.

This study highlights how location, culture, and economic factors can shape generosity across the United States, showcasing the varied ways Americans support their communities.

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Maps

Study Names One Amusement Park the Best in the Country

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The United States is home to a wealth of incredible amusement parks, offering experiences for both families and adrenaline junkies. With so many options, deciding where to go can be overwhelming. Fortunately, a new chart from the Florida Rentals team ranks the nation’s top parks, making it easier to plan your next adventure.

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What Is the Best Amusement Park in the United States?

The rankings are based on several key factors:

  • Park size
  • Total attractions available
  • Number of roller coasters in operation
  • Themed areas within the park
  • Ticket pricing
  • Reviews from Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor

Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, claimed the top spot. Known as the second-oldest theme park in the country, Cedar Point boasts the highest number of mechanical rides worldwide that earned it a Guinness World Record. This iconic destination is celebrated for its legendary roller coasters, including fan favorites like Raptor, Millennium Force, Maverick, Gatekeeper, and Steel Vengeance.

The top ten parks featured in the chart include:

  • Cedar Point
  • Six Flags Great Adventure
  • Six Flags Great America
  • Kings Island
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • Hersheypark
  • Disneyland
  • Magic Kingdom
  • Disney’s California Adventure

This chart serves as a handy resource for anyone planning a theme park getaway. With insights on locations, ticket prices, and standout features, it’s the ultimate tool for choosing your next thrilling escape.

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Charts

Map Unveils Countries with Most Powerful Passports

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There are many uses for a passport, but the most useful one is access to foreign countries. A powerful passport will grant the holder easy access to many different foreign nations. This map from the team at Italian Dual Citizenship ranks countries by how many foreign nations passport holders can visit without a Visa or with the easy Visa upon-arrival option. We can see an extensive list of their results, as well as a color-coded map with the most powerful country’s passports, darkened to navy blue and the weakest labeled with vibrant green.

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Which Countries Have the World's Most Powerful Passports?

This map is a powerful demonstration of the data since we can look at the colors and notice patterns and anomalies. For example, the entire European Union, which encompasses most of Western Europe, is a deep navy blue, and the countries are among the world’s most powerful passport issuers. In the Middle East, we see a lot of green indicating weaker passports, but there’s a lone navy-blue country. The United Arab Emirates offers the world’s most powerful passport with Visa-free access to 133 countries and 46 countries with a Visa-on-arrival.

As for the countries with the most limited access, Syria is at the bottom of the list, with only nine Visa-free opportunities and 30 Visa-on-arrival. Afghanistan offers only six Visa-free opportunities but pushes past Syria with 34 Visa-on-arrival countries.

This map is a perfect way to display a huge wealth of data, like information on passport requirements.

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