How Europe Answers the Phone
A map of how Europe answers an unknown call shows just how differently each country greets a stranger on the line, from Italy’s ready to Poland’s I’m listening.
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Cultural cartography
Cartographic representation of cultural explanations of definite areas.
Free Tap Water Laws in Restaurants
In France, refusing to give a customer tap water can cost a restaurant €8,000. In Italy, a hotel recently refused to serve a guest tap water during dinner and Italy’s Supreme Court ruled the hotel did nothing wrong. In Germany, still water is priced like any other drink on the menu.
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Playing Card Suit Systems: French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swiss-German Cards Mapped
Playing cards reached Europe around 1370, and within a century the continent had split into five completely different suit systems.
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Where 300 Million People Celebrate New Year in March
Around 300 million people don’t celebrate New Year on January 1st—they wait for March 20 or 21 when spring begins.
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Holiday Pie Searches by State: How America’s Baking Map Shifted in Five Years
Pull up Google Trends for holiday pie searches and you’ll see something unexpected: America’s pie map looks different than it did five years ago. The South’s pecan pie territory shrank dramatically. New England’s letting go of apple pie. And pumpkin? It’s taking over almost everywhere. What happened to our regional baking traditions?
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Dante’s Map of Italian Stereotypes (1300s): Romans Are “Lurid,” Sardinians Are “Apes”
Dante wrote the Divine Comedy, but he also spent years documenting what he thought of Italian peoples region by region. Romans had ugly appearances and were “lurid.” Sardinians were “apes” who weren’t even Italian. Florentines were “spawn of Satan.” Sicilians were cruel and hypocritical. This map from his 1302-1305 treatise shows his stereotypes spread across medieval Italy.
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Why So Many Cultures Still Fear the “Evil Eye”
The “evil eye” is one of the world’s oldest superstitions. Here’s where it’s still believed, how people try to protect themselves, and why it’s fading in wealthier nations.
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Long-Term Orientation in World Cultures
Some countries plan for generations, others focus on quick results. Dutch researcher Geert Hofstede mapped these cultural differences in his Long-Term Orientation study. Discover what your country’s approach to planning reveals about its cultural values and decision-making style.
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Siesta Nations: A Map of Midday Rest Traditions Around the World
Siestas aren’t just a Spanish thing. From Europe to Asia to Latin America, some places still make time for a midday rest. This map highlights where the tradition lives on, and why it makes sense in many parts of the world.
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16 Maps That Explain France
Want to see how France’s borders evolved, why it borders Brazil, or where people say “chocolatine”? These 16 carefully selected maps show how geography, history, and identity intersect across the country and beyond.
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What Europeans Really Call Their Capitals When Nobody’s Listening
You might know the official names of European capitals, but do you know what locals actually call them? This map of Europe shows the real nicknames residents use
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Which Way Do European Windows Open?
Across Europe, the way windows open varies more than you’d think. This map explores how local climate, customs, and building styles shape a surprising part of everyday life.
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Countries Where New Year’s Day Is Not a Public Holiday
Learn why some countries don’t recognize January 1 as a public holiday, along with intriguing New Year’s traditions from around the world.
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