Where the streets have no name: unmapping the world

Borderless world map is the answer to a question I recently asked myself: what would a map look like when removed of all names and borders? Surprisingly, my usual source (googling) could not provide me with an answer. The buzz is about creating yet more detailed maps: what merit could there be to a map which gives you no place names?

Cartography has always aimed for the finest levels of detail. First the world is divided up into countries, then into smaller administrative regions (states, cantons, counties, quartiers, barios, boroughs…) the labelling of cities and towns is another implicit form of taxonomy: a way of partitioning the world. The utility of detailed maps cannot be doubted, yet there is a danger to it: proud of their level of detail we forget that these lines and words – borders and place names – are only features because we agree they are features. Without people they have no meaning. They are tacked on. A bird migrating does not see them.

What’s interesting to me is that maps are part of a feedback loop that shapes our view on the world: perceived differences between groups of people created nations, this created borders, borders were added to maps. Looking at maps only reinforces the perceived differences. Looking at an empty map is informative – it reminds us that the world is inherently seamless.

In the linked map borders have been removed but all other features have been left in – roads, buildings, airports – their labels suppressed. Though the map is filled with features, the missing words give me, at times, the impression of a planet empty of people – or at least of a planet not owned by people.

On a technical note, this is extremely simple to do using Google Maps API V3 which introduced to possibility to style maps.

To see the full map: Borderless world map

Without labels London seems empty.