In that relatively short time, Sydney has developed into one of the world’s largest, most cosmopolitan cities, with a population of over 5 million and a unique mix of Aboriginal, British, Asian, and European cultural influences.

To get a better understanding of how Sydney became the modern metropolis it is today, Budget Direct Travel Insurance analyzed dozens of maps of Sydney from the National Library of Australia and other sources from the years 1770-2020. Research in hand, the team created an animated map to show how the city has grown.

In its relatively short history, Sydney experienced near starvation, rebellion attempts, a gold rush, trade booms, the Great Depression, two world wars, and hosted the Summer Olympics. These maps depict the major infrastructural, architectural, and demographic developments that resulted from these dynamic periods in Sydney’s rich history. Additionally, some of the older maps were chosen for their historical significance and the important role they played in the early settlement of the city.

James Cook’s landing at Sting-Ray Bay (Botany Bay). First plan of “Sting-Ray Bay”, 1770

Map of the penal colony in Sydney Cove, 1788

A plan of the civilian settlements of New South Wales, 1799

Plan drawn by Charles Alexandre Lesueur during the French scientific expedition, 1802

Map that captures the transformation of a penal colony into a city, 1822

The city during the gold rush, 1858

The map printed in Sydney Mail magazine showing the growth of Sydney from 1802 to 1873

The mapping first tram system of the city, 1894

Gregory’s Sydney Street Directory, 1934

Plan of green belt and radial freeway system around Greater Sydney, 1948

New city plan “Sydney Into Its Third Century”, 1988

Infrastructural impact of the Olympic Games on the City, 2000

Sidney Green Grid, 2017

Sydney in the year 2020

Methodology: Budget Direct analyzed over a dozen maps of Sydney from the National Library of Australia and other sources from the years 1770 to 2020. The team identified important buildings and infrastructural developments in the city’s history using information from the Office of Environment & Heritage of the Government of New South Wales, Sydney history and travel guides, and other sources, and identified maps that best reflect those changes. Budget Direct then designed their own maps combining info and features from the historical maps – and incorporated these into one animation.

To learn more about Sydney have a look at the following books:

• Fodor’s Essential Australia
• Lonely Planet Sydney
• Fodor’s Essential Australia

The post Animated map shows Sydney’s 250-year evolution in 30 seconds appeared first on Vivid Maps.

The Animated map shows how the Earth may have looked in the distant past. Plate tectonics reconstruction is based on paleomagnetic data, though it may be inaccurate before one billion years. The temperature, atmospheric composition, and length of the day on the map are also presented. The Coastline changes on our planet, you can see here.

Earth was created about 4.54 billion years ago by accumulation from the solar nebula, a disk-shaped cloud of gas and dust leftover from the creation of the Sun, which also built other planets and their moons of the Solar System.

Out planet was initially molten due to intense volcanism and numerous collisions with other space bodies. Finally, the external layer of the Earth cooled to create a firm crust when water started concentrating in the atmosphere.

The Precambrian covers about 90 percent of geologic time. It stretches from 4.6 billion years ago to the start of the Cambrian Period (about 541 million years ago). The Precambrian includes three eons: the Hadean, Archean, and Proterozoic. Significant volcanic eruptions changing the planet’s environment and producing extinctions may have happened ten times in the past three billion years.

During Hadean Eon (4.6-4 billion years ago), our planet was molten due to volcanism and impacts with other space bodies. Finally, the solid crust was formed, and water began accumulating in the atmosphere.

During Archean Eon (4-2.5 billion years ago), the planet’s crust cooled, and continental plates and rocks developed. They moved across the surface of the Earth, merging to create a supercontinent Rodinia.

Proterozoic Eon (2,500 – 541 million years ago) spaned the time from the rise of oxygen in the atmosphere to just before increasing the diversity of different life forms (trilobites, corals, etc.). During Proterozoic Eon, the earliest-known supercontinent Rodinia started to split apart. The continents next recombined to create supercontinent Pannotia.

The Phanerozoic Eon is the current eon in the geologic timescale. It includes approximately 541 million years. Throughout this period, continents floated about, finally assembled into a single landmass known as Pangea, and then broke up into the modern continental landmasses. The Phanerozoic eon is parted into three eras: the Paleozoic, the Mesozoic, and the Cenozoic. Most of the evolution of life occurred during this period.

The post The History Of The Earth From Formation To Present Day appeared first on Vivid Maps.

Black Americans compose the 2nd-largest racial group in the United States, after White Americans and Hispanic Americans.

At the beginning of the 21st century, more than 50% of the nation’s approximately 37 million Black Americans dwelled in the South. Ten Southern U.S. states had Black communities surpassing one million. Black Americans are also high in the biggest cities, with more than two million dwellings in NYC and more than one million in Chicago. Detroit, Philadelphia, and Houston every had a Black population within 500 thousand and one million.

The U.S. Black population is increasing. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, African American in 2020, About 47.8 million people in the United States identified as Blacks (14.6% of the population). That is up from 36.8 million in 2000 (13% of the population).

Absence of Black

Geographically the South is the region with the highest share of the nation’s Black population, with 56 percent of this population residing there. The Northeast and Midwest held 17% of Black Americans, while the West is residence to 1/10 of the Black population.

Top 10 U.S. counties with the highest number of Blacks (2020)

1. Cook (Illinois): 1,219,493
2. Harris (Texas): 959,264
3. Los Angeles (California): 895,268
4. Kings (New York): 850,352
5. Philadelphia (Pennsylvania): 686,918
6. Wayne (Michiagan: 673,978
7. Dallas (Texas): 626,944
8. Bronx (New York): 616,104
9. Broward (Florida): 597,154
10. Prince George’s: 586,515

Top 10 U.S. counties with highest percentage of Blacks (2020)

1. Claiborne County (Mississippi): 86.07%
2. Jefferson County (Mississippi): 85.15%
3. Holmes County (Mississippi): 83.54%
4. Macon County (Alabama): 80.73%
5. Greene County (Alabama): 80.13%
6. Petersburg city (Virginia): 77.69%
7. Tunica County (Mississippi): 77.47%
8. Coahoma County (Mississippi): 77.02%
9. Humphreys County (Mississippi): 75.79%
10. Leflore County (Mississippi): 75.74%
11. Sunflower County (Mississippi): 73.85%
12. Allendale County (South Carolina): 73.05%
13. Hinds County (Mississippi): 72.62%
14. Lowndes County (Alabama): 72.55%
15. Washington County (Mississippi): 72.37%
16. Clayton County (Georgia): 72.15%
17. Noxubee County (Mississippi): 72.07%
18. Sumter County (Alabama): 71.79%
19. Quitman (Mississippi): 71.34%
20. Wilcox County (Alabama): 71.28%

U.S. Counties without African Americans

• Keya Paha (Nebraska)
• Hooker (Nebraska)
• Wheeler (Nebraska)
• Arthur (Nebraska)
• Kalawao (Hawaii)

In recent decades, there has been an increase in U.S. counties with a predominance of blacks.

However, the growth in the number of black-majority U.S. counties isn’t because the United States is shifting considerably blacker (the share of Afro-Americans in the U.S. has only grown by 1.5% since 1970), but because of changes between and within regions and metropolitan areas. This growth is proceeding amid a national conversation about the U.S. becoming minority white in about 2050, a prediction due in massive part to the growing amounts of Hispanics and newcomers in national population totals.

Absence of Black (1990 – 2020)

The preponderance (63%) of Black people were age 22 or more youthful, indicating the youth of this racial group.

The map below shows U.S. black population, percent change by county.

Percent change of Black population by U.S. county from 1990 to 2020

Top 10 counties with the most significant percentage decrease in the African American population

1. Alpine (California): -83.33%
2. Bristol Bay (Alaska): -76.32%
3. Bristol Bay (Alaska): -84%
4. Hardin (Illinois): -78%
5. Atchison (Missouri): -72%
6. McDowell (West Virginia): -72%
7. Hancock (Tennessee): -71%
8. Logan (Nebraska): -67%
9. Gogebic (Michigan): -64%
10. Losco (Michigan): -64%
11. Chattahoochee (Georgia): -62%
12. Crawford (Michigan): -60%

Top 20 counties with the most significant percentage increase in the African American population

1. Forsyth (Georgia): 89000%
2. Johnson (Nebraska): 33600%
3. Elliott (Kentucky): 27600%
4. Sullivan (Missouri): 18900%
5. Colfax (Nebraska): 15775%
6. Martin (Kentucky): 15140%
7. Towns (Georgia): 14200%
8. White (Indiana): 13950%
9. Luce (Michigan): 13580%
10. Callahan (Texas): 12450%

Related posts:
– Absence of Hispanic
– Absence of Asians

The post US African American Population by County appeared first on Vivid Maps.

Here is the map based on United States Census Bureau data that shows the U.S. population aged 0-14 years as a share of the total population in percentage.

Top 10 U.S. counties by the highest percentage of kids:

1. Todd (South Dakota): 35.9
2. Dewey (South Dakota): 32.6
3. Northwest Arctic (Alaska) :31.3
4. Shannon (South Dakota): 31.2
5. Buffalo (South Dakota): 30.7
6. Gaines (Texas): 30.4
7. Sioux (North Dakota): 30.3
8. Corson (South Dakota): 30.2
9. Bethel (Alaska): 30.1
10. Adams (Washington): 30.0

Top 10 U.S. counties by the lowest percentage of kids:

1. Forest (Pennsylvania): 1.7
2. Jeff Davis (Texas): 2.9
3. Sumter (Florida): 5.7
4. Aleutians East (Alaska): 5.8
5. Issaquena (Mississippi): 6.9
6. Sullivan (Pennsylvania): 7.5
7. Pope (Illinois): 8.3
8. Stewart (Georgia): 8.7
9. McCormick (South Carolina): 8.9
10. Ontonagon (Michigan): 9.2

Below is the map showing the population of people aged 14 and under changes by county from 2000 to 2020.

Here is the animated version of the map that shows the change of the American population aged 0-14 years from 2000 to 2020.

The population of children 0-14 are projected at 66.7 million in 2060, representing 16.5% of the United States population.

Related posts:
– U.S. population aged 0-4 years
– Working Age Population in the U.S.
– The Age Structure of the United States 

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Population Pyramid

A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of the country’s population and may provide insights into political and social stability and economic development. The nation’s population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males displayed on the left and females on the right. The shape of the population pyramid slowly evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration movements. The shape of the American population pyramid shows a relatively stable population, with noticeable “bumps” for the Baby Boom generation and the generation of the “echo boom.”

Below is an animated America’s population pyramid over 100+ Years.

On the map below, each U.S. county’s population age composition in these maps is uniquely color-coded. Colors show the direction and magnitude of deviation from the center point, representing the average age composition. The hue component of color encodes the direction of deviation: towards yellow – more elderly population (65+); cyan – more people at working ages (15-64); magenta – more kids (<15).

The youngest counties in America (0-14 years)

1. Wade Hampton (Alaska) – 35.42%
2. Todd (South Dakota) – 35.21%
3. Buffalo (South Dakota) – 33.57%
4. Shannon (South Dakota) – 31.90%
5. Dewey (South Dakota) – 31.74%
6. Corson (South Dakota) – 31.05%
7. Northwest Arctic (Alaska) – 30.99%
8. Sioux (North Dakota) – 30.83%
9. Thurston (Nebraska) – 30.39%
10. Gaines (Texas) – 30.38%

U.S. counties with the highest working-age population (15-64 years)

1. Aleutians West (Alaska) – 84.05%
2. Aleutians East (Alaska) – 83.62%
3. Radford (Virginia) – 80.43%
4. Whitman (Washington) – 77.19%
5. Riley (Kansas) – 76.56%
6. Crowley (Colorado) – 76.56%
7. Harrisonburg (Virginis) – 76.50%
8. Chattahoochee (Georgia) – 76.31%
9. Lexington (Virginia) – 76.19%
10. Athens (Ohio) – 75.58%

The oldest counties in America (65+)

1. Sumter (Florida) – 56.94%
2. Catron (New Mexico) – 40.37%
3. Charlotte (Florida) – 39.44%
4. La Paz (Arizona) – 39.33%
5. Kalawao (Hawaii) – 38.64%
6. Sarasota (Florida) – 36.10%
7. Northumberland (Virginia) – 35.99%
8. Citrus (Florida) – 35.91%
9. Alcona (Michigan) – 35.89%
10. Llano (Taxa) – 35.61%

The evolution of the age structure of the United States

This statistic portrays the age distribution in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021. In 2021, about 18.24% of the U.S. population fell into the 0-14 year category, 64.72% into the 15-64 age group, and 17.04% were 65+.

Age distribution in the United States from 2011 to 2021 in percentage

According to the Census data, the country’s adult population grew faster than the underage-18 population and the American population as a whole in the last decade. Between 2020 and 2060, the number of older adults is forecasted to grow by 69%, from 56.0 million to 94.7 million. The number of people aged 85+ is projected to almost triple from 6.7 million in 2020 to 19 million by 2060.

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The term “battle” referred to the meeting of two armies on a single battlefield and fought each other for anywhere from one to several days. The bloodiest battle in history is the battle of Changping that took place during the Warring States period in ancient China (260 BCE). Below is a ranking of the bloodiest battles in the history of mankind.

Top 20 bloodiest battles by casualties

The most significant number of victories in battles were won by the mighty empires, which took part in many wars.

Which countries have won the most battles?

Want to learn more? Then you might like to read:

• Battles that Changed History
• The Art Of War

The post 4500 years of Battles in 5 minutes appeared first on Vivid Maps.

In the United States, the sex ratio at birth is typically close to 105 males for every 100 females. This slight male predominance at birth is a natural phenomenon observed in many countries.

The sex ratio can vary significantly across different age groups. In the early stages of life, there are typically more male births than female births. However, as people age, this ratio tends to become more balanced, and in older age groups, there may be more females than males due to women’s longer life expectancy.

The sex ratio can also vary by region within the United States. In some areas, such as rural regions or areas with specific industries that attract a predominantly male workforce, the sex ratio may be skewed in favor of males. In urban areas, the ratio may be more balanced.

Moreover different racial and ethnic groups may have varying sex ratios. These variations can be influenced by factors such as cultural preferences, immigration patterns, and historical events. For example, certain immigrant groups may have a different sex ratio than the overall population.

The map of the United States below, created using U.S. Census Bureau data, shows sex ratio by county. The sex ratio is calculated as the number of males per 100 females. U.S. counties with more men than women are marked in blue.

Male to female sex ratio
The sex ratio is calculated as the number of males per 100 females.

The sex ratio in the United States has evolved over time, influenced by a variety of factors, including changes in birth rates, life expectancy, immigration patterns, and societal attitudes.

In the early colonial period, sex ratios in America were often imbalanced, with more men than women due to the predominantly male settlers, especially in regions like Jamestown, Virginia. Over time, as families and communities grew, the sex ratio began to balance.

During the 19th century, the U.S. experienced rapid population growth and westward expansion. The sex ratio remained relatively balanced overall, with minor variations in specific regions or due to factors like the California Gold Rush.

The sex ratio at birth in the early 20th century was typically close to 105 males for every 100 females, consistent with the global average. After a peak of 106.2 in 1910, the sex ratio declined to a low of 94.5 in 1980. This long decline resulted mainly from the relatively larger reduction in female mortality rates during the period. The sex ratio then increased between 1980 and 1990, as male death rates declined faster than female death rates and as more male immigrants than female immigrants entered the country.

In recent decades, the sex ratio at birth has typically hovered around 105 males per 100 females.

Below is the animated map of the sex ratio by U.S. county from 2000 to 2022.

U.S. Counties With the Most Men (2020)

1. Crowley County (Colorado) – 270 men to 100 women
2. Stewart (Georgia) – 223 men to 100 women
3. Forest (Pennsylvania) – 216 men to 100 women
4. Aleutians East (Alaska) – 207 men to 100 women
5. Aleutians West (Alaska) – 197 men to 100 women
6. Garza (Texas) – 193 men to 100 women
7. West Feliciana (Louisiana) – 187 men to 100 women
8. Wheeler (Georgia) – 184 men to 100 women
9. Chattahoochee (Georgia) – 182 men to 100 women
10. Union (Florida) – 181 men to 100 women

U.S. Counties With the Most Women (2020)

1. Pulaski County (Georgia) – 75 men to 100 women
2. Macon (Alabama) – 83 men to 100 women
3. Summers (West Virginia) – 83 men to 100 women
4. Livingston (Missouri) – 83 men to 100 women
5. Niobrara (Wyoming) – 84 men to 100 women
6. Franklin City (Virginia) – 84 men to 100 women
7. Petersburg (Virginia) – 84 men to 100 women
8. Sumter (Alabama) – 84 men to 100 women
9. Williamsburg (Virginia) – 85 men to 100 women
10. Fluvanna (Virginia) – 85 men to 100 women

To learn more about demographics of the United States see:

• A Population History of the United States
• Social Stratification in the United States: The American Profile Poster
• DNA USA: A Genetic Portrait of America

The post Sex Ratio by U.S. County appeared first on Vivid Maps.

African Americans, as one of the largest racial minorities, have historically been concentrated in the Southern states, particularly in the Mississippi Delta region and urban centers like Atlanta, New Orleans, and Memphis. However, significant African American populations also exist in cities throughout the Midwest and Northeast, including Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, and New York City, where they have played pivotal roles in shaping cultural, political, and economic landscapes.

Hispanic Americans, comprising the largest ethnic minority, exhibit varied distribution patterns influenced by migration patterns, historical ties, and economic opportunities. States with long-standing Hispanic populations, such as California, Texas, Florida, and New York, have significant concentrations, with vibrant communities in cities like Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, and New York City. Additionally, Hispanic populations are increasingly dispersing into suburban areas and emerging immigrant destinations across the Midwest and Southeast.

Asian Americans, primarily concentrated on the West Coast, have substantial populations in states like California, Washington, and Hawaii, where diverse ethnic groups, including Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, and Indian communities, contribute to vibrant cultural landscapes. Urban centers like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Honolulu serve as hubs of Asian American culture and commerce, while significant populations also reside in East Coast cities like New York City and Washington, D.C., reflecting diverse migration patterns and economic opportunities.

American Indians and Alaska Natives, deeply rooted in indigenous lands, are predominantly concentrated in the Western and Southwestern regions, including states like Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, and Alaska. Tribal reservations serve as focal points of indigenous cultures and communities, preserving traditional lifestyles and customs while grappling with contemporary challenges. Alaska Natives, including Inuit, Yup’ik, and Aleut peoples, maintain strong ties to their ancestral lands in Alaska, where subsistence lifestyles and cultural practices endure alongside modern development.

We’ve previously shared maps showcasing the leading groups by U.S. county. Now, let’s explore the spatial distribution of the ethnic groups that rank as the second largest in each county.

These maps of the United States show changes in the leading minority group by U.S. county in 1990 vs 2022.

Below, you’ll find an animated video showcasing the evolution of the predominant minority group in each U.S. county over time.

As of 2022, here are the estimated populations and percentages of each ethnic group in the United States:

• African Americans: Approximately 44 million, comprising around 13% of the total U.S. population.
• Hispanic Americans: Around 63 million, making up approximately 19% of the total U.S. population.
• White, non-Hispanic population: Approximately 198 million, accounting for around 60% of the total U.S. population.
• Asian Americans: Around 24 million, constituting approximately 7% of the total U.S. population.
• American Indians and Alaska Natives: Approximately 7 million, representing approximately 2% of the total U.S. population.

Compared to 1990, there have been significant changes in the population distribution among ethnic groups. While the White, non-Hispanic population still constitutes the majority, its proportion has decreased from around 75% in 1990 to approximately 60% in 2022. Conversely, Hispanic Americans have seen substantial growth, increasing from around 17.8% of the population in 1990 to approximately 19% in 2022. African Americans have maintained a relatively stable percentage of the population, while Asian Americans and American Indians/Alaska Natives have also experienced moderate growth.

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Comparing to 1990, the demographic landscape of the United States has undergone significant shifts. African Americans remain one of the largest racial minorities in the United States, with an estimated population of approximately 47.9 million, an increase from 30.5 million in 1990, constituting around 14.4% of the total U.S. population in 2022 compared to approximately 12% in 1990.

Hispanic Americans continue to represent the largest ethnic minority, with an estimated population of around 63.7 million, marking a substantial increase from 22.4 million in 1990. In 2022, Hispanic Americans make up approximately 19.1% of the total U.S. population compared to around 9% in 1990.

While the White, non-Hispanic population continues to make up the majority, with an estimated population of approximately 198 million, its proportion has decreased compared to 1990 when it accounted for around 75% of the total U.S. population. In 2022, White Americans constitute around 59.3% of the total U.S. population, down from approximately 75% in 1990.

The maps below show changes in the leading group by U.S. county in 1990 vs 2022.

An animated video of how the leading ethnic group in each U.S. county changed by year is presented below.

White Americans continue to constitute the majority in every census-defined region and state except Hawaii. They contribute the highest proportion of the population in the Midwestern United States, with an estimated population of around 95 million, representing a slight increase from 89.5 million in 1990. Non-Hispanic Whites still make up a significant portion of the Midwest’s population, with an estimated population of approximately 71 million. However, about 66 million White Americans now reside in the South, marking the highest population among regions.

Approximately 56% of the African American population resides in the South, similar to the proportion in 1990, indicating a continued significant African American presence in this region.

Asian Americans, who make up a population of around 24 million, constitute approximately 7% of the total U.S. population, marking a significant increase from around 6.9 million in 1990. They predominantly reside in the West region, accounting for a significant portion of the Asian American population.

American Indians and Alaska Natives comprise an estimated population of around 7 million, representing approximately 2% of the total U.S. population, with a slight increase from 4.3 million in 1990. They predominantly live in the West and Southwest regions, with significant populations in both areas.

To learn more about the changes affecting the leading minority ethnic group, you can find it here.

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Native American populations were decimated by diseases brought by European settlers, as well as by warfare, forced relocation, and cultural suppression. Despite these challenges, Native American cultures have endured and continue to be an integral part of American society. Nowadays, there are 574 federally recognized tribes that govern more than one of the 326 Indian reservations in the United States.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there were approximately 9.7 million people who identified as American Indian or Alaska Native alone or in combination with one or more other races in 2020, representing about 2.9% of the total U.S. population. However, it’s important to note that the Native American population is not monolithic, and there are significant variations in culture, language, and history among different tribes and communities.

Today, Native Americans live throughout the United States, with the largest populations found in the southwestern, southeastern, and northern regions. The map below shows American Indian population by U.S. county in 2022.

Five states account for over half (50.9%) of the American Indian population in the US. Oklahoma has the largest American Indian population (14.2%), followed by Arizona (12.9%), California (9.9%), New Mexico (9.1%), and Texas (4.8%).

Here is the top 20 U.S. counties with the highest percentage of American Indians.

U.S. Counties with the highest percentages of American Indians

As per the U.S. Census Bureau report of 2020, about 61% of the American Indian and Alaska Native population resided in metropolitan areas, and the remaining 39% lived in non-metropolitan areas. This data includes both the people living on reservations and those living off reservations.

American Indian Population Changes

The growth or decline of the American Indian population in the United States varies widely by state and county. Generally, states with larger Native American populations, such as those in the Southwest and Northern Plains regions, tend to have both growing and declining populations, depending on the specific tribal communities and local factors.

Below is an animated map showing the changes in the Indian population by U.S. county from 1990 to 2022.

States with growing Native American populations include those experiencing expanding tribal economies, improved access to education and healthcare, and efforts to preserve and revitalize Native American cultures. Examples of such states may include Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

On the other hand, states in the Great Plains region, such as South Dakota and North Dakota, face challenges like outmigration, limited economic opportunities, and lack of access to essential services, leading to declines in certain Native American populations within these states.

Nevertheless, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest and pride in Native American heritage, with efforts to preserve languages, traditions, and cultural practices. Native American tribes have also become more politically active, advocating for their rights and sovereignty.

Interested in learning more about North American Indigenous peoples? Explore these insightful books.

• Atlas of Indian Nations
• The North American Indian: The Complete Portfolios

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