Electoral college reform (fifty states with equal population) by Neil Freeman, 2012.
I'm not showing this map for its political ramifications. I simply like the fact that an algorithm is used to center the 50 'states with equal population' around the large metropolitan areas. And I love the fact that the names are taken from geographical features, many are in native Indian languages.
Here is a previous version (also by Neil Freeman) with more common names:
So what would be the new name of your home state? Or, if you're not an US citizen, in which state would you like to live?
next episode: paris
I would be in Shasta (or Willamette) depending on the map. Borders are funny in that they are part arbitrary, and part historical/ cultural and geographical- influenced.
ReplyDeleteZo'n kaart van Nederland, dat zal Plasterk wel leuk vinden. 17 gemeentes met een millioen inwoners of zo.
ReplyDeletehaha, en dan ook maar meteen a l l e provincies samenvoegen natuurlijk.
DeleteThe evolution of the map (and of the names) reads an attack of the Native-American language versus the Spanish one :-)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite area is Erie; my favourite name is Sabine :-)
What's the point? To lump my home state of Connecticut into some thoughtless thing called "S. New England" and piss me off? You sure managed to piss me off :) Is this map of the USA supposed to be an improvement? I was born and raised in Connecticut and live there today and work and maintain an apartment in Manhattan often referred to as New York City but I hope I don't have to explain the origins of names of the Five Burroughs. The name Connecticut originates from the Indian word "Quinnehtukqut" (beside the long tidal river). The name Connecticut was established early in the 1600's referring to the Connecticut River. Perhaps if you knew the origins of the state names you would not waste your time on this project. They are organic and there is beauty in their history.
ReplyDeleteConnecticut is a beautiful name indeed. The first Europeans to sail on the Connecticut River were Dutch explorer Andriaan Block and his crew. They called it the Versche Rivier (the Fresh River). Three of the five boroughs still have Dutch names.
DeleteThis is funny!! I currently live and own a business in what would probably be the smallest state of Los Angeles. The map shows Orange as being smaller, but that just doesn't seem right. I lived in Orange county for a few years and have a hard time believing it's more densely populated than Los Angeles. I'd love to see where they got that data from.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
The State of Orange has a nice ring to it!
DeleteMy new "state" name is the city I live in, Houston.
ReplyDelete