Differences between the United States and Europe mapped

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The United States and the European Union are the most developed countries/supranational organizations. But the US and the EU are partners and competitors, especially in the worldwide marketplace.

Even though average Americans and Europeans have very similar lives, the US and the EU have many differences:

• The US is 50 states under one country, but the EU is a union of nations.
• The United States (9,826,630 km2 / 3,794,080 sq mi) is larger than the European Union (4,233,262 km2 / 1,634,472 sq mi).
• The US has a population of 328 million people, while the European Union has 447 million people (2020).
• Economically, the United States in 2020 had a GDP (PPP) of 21,440 trillion dollars ($67,426 per capita), while the EU had a GDP of 20,366 trillion dollars ($45,541 per capita).

Moreover, in Europe, crime is much lower; the average life is longer; schools are free or have low costs, and health care is universal. Most European countries have highly developed social organizations, and quality of life is higher (when measured in words, such as hours worked per week and income distribution).

Below is an atlas of maps that illustrate the differences between these two political and economic superpowers.

US-Europe size comparison

Climate

Comparing the latitude of America and Europe

The map below shows American and European cities’ comparative latitudes by changing them on the opposing continent.

Many European cities have warmer climates than comparable cities in America at the same latitude. This phenomenon is caused by the warm current of the Gulf Stream. You can compare the climate of cities here.

The US vs Europe sunshine duration in hours per year

Sunshine duration in the United States is much higher than in Europe.

Human Development Index of the US and Europe

The Human Development Index is a statistical compound index of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators. The Human Development Index in states of eastern Europe is considerably lower than in most US states.

Unemployment rate

The map created by Reddit User maps_us_eu shows the unemployment rate across the US and the EU in January 2023. The US average unemployment rate is 3.5%, while the EU average unemployment rate is 6.1%.

Yearly median software engineer pay

Software engineering is one of the most popular and growing fields in the tech industry. A software engineer is responsible for creating, developing, and testing computer software. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of job opportunities in software development is forecasted to grow by 22% from 2020 to 2030.

The number of software developers worldwide is rising each day, and nowadays, there are approximately 4.3 million developers in the United States, while Europe has over 6 million developers.

The map below created by Reddit user maps_us_eu illustrates the annual average median Software Engineer pay across the United States and the United Kingdom. Based on self-reported wages information.

Median dwelling size in the U.S. and Europe

In the United States, the median size of a newly constructed single-family home is around 2,300 square feet. In contrast, the median size of a home in Europe is generally smaller, with variations among countries.

The maps below, created by Reddit user Dirrevarent, show the median dwelling sizes in the United States and Europe in square feet.

Factors such as population density, urbanization, and cultural norms influence the average size of dwellings.

Population age structure

Each region’s population age composition in the maps below 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 a yellow – more elderly population (65+); cyan – more people of working ages (15-64); magenta – more kids (<15).

In 2020, the median age of the US resident population – was 38.4, and in Europe – 43.1. The map of the evolution of the age structure of the United States you can find here.

Obesity rates in the United States vs. Europe

Obesity has become a significant health problem in the US: Over one-third of adults in America are obese. The United States exceeds nearly every European country in weight. Below is the map of obesity rates in the US and Europe created by Reddit user xD_Penguinnnn.

Percentage of Population “Absolutely Certain” God Exists

The residents of the United States are much more religious than the inhabitants of Europe.

A comparison of homicide rates in the US and Europe

The homicide rate in most US states is higher than in Europe. For clarification, the United States has an intentional homicide rate of 6.3, while Russia is 7.3. The map below shows the Intentional homicide rate in the United States vs. Europe in 2020.

US States with the highest homicide rates

European countries with the highest homicide rates

Incarceration rate

The map below, created by Reddit user flyingcatwithhorns shows the incarceration rate in the United States vs Europe. While the United States has only 5% of the world’s population, it has nearly 25% of the world’s prisoners.

Road traffic death rate

The map below shows road deaths per 100,000 people in the United States Vs. Europe. Data from the World Health Organization, the European Commission, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety was used for making this map. The calculation included drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bus and bicycle accidents.

COVID deaths

The map below depicts COVID death per million in the US States and European nations (October 2020).

Age Restrictions

This map created by Reddit user Cartographer42 shows age restrictions in the United States and Europe (Driving, Voting, Drinking, Smoking). In the US, the purchase of tobacco and alcohol, unlike in Europe, is allowed only from 21.

Comparing Vegan-Friendly Locations: US States vs. European Countries

Maps created by dailymint.co highlight the most vegetarian and vegan-friendly locations in the United States and Europe. In the US, the District of Columbia leads with 54 vegan and vegetarian restaurants per million residents, followed by Hawaii (51) and Oregon (27). Europe shows a different picture, with Iceland topping the list at 38 restaurants per million, followed by Portugal (24.2) and the Czech Republic (21.6).

Interestingly, smaller populations often rank higher in vegan-friendliness in both regions, as seen in Hawaii and Iceland. The range of vegan-friendliness is wide: the US spans from DC’s 54 restaurants per million to South Dakota’s 1, while Europe ranges from Iceland’s 38 to Albania’s 0.3.

Cultural factors, urbanization, and tourism appear to influence these rankings significantly. Major cities and popular tourist destinations generally offer more diverse dining options, including plant-based ones. While these maps provide valuable insights, they measure quantity rather than quality or diversity of options.

For further exploration of US and European geography, consider these maps available on Amazon:

• USA Wall Map
• Europe Wall Map
• USA and Europe Travel Atlas
• World Wall Map