Cultural cartography

Cousin Marriage Around the World

Roughly one in ten marriages globally involves first or second cousins. Pakistan has the highest rate at over 61%, followed by Kuwait and Qatar at around 54%. The practice clusters heavily across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. National averages can be misleading though — in Turkey, rates vary dramatically from province to province, ranging from very high to very low depending on the region. We’ll explore why cousin marriage persists in certain areas, look at the economic and cultural factors behind it, and examine what genetics tells us about consanguinity and inherited conditions.

Read more: Cousin Marriage Around the World
Ethnic maps

An Ethnic Map of the United States by County Majority

When we examine a United States map showing ethnic majorities at the county level, we uncover fascinating patterns that reflect centuries of migration, settlement, and cultural evolution. From the strong presence of African American majorities in the Southeast to the Hispanic-majority counties in the Southwest, each region tells a unique story of America’s diverse heritage.

Read more: An Ethnic Map of the United States by County Majority