How many countries in the world do not use the metric system? What are the most common surnames in Europe – by country? Which country’s population consumes the most alcohol? Or the most coffee? What are the highest paid public sector professions in the US?
The answers to all these questions and many more are presented in a collection of 40 maps, providing a sometimes surprising, often interesting, and overall quite unique perspective of our world.
Here’s one which surprised me…
… I thought everybody drove on the left!! 🙂
You can view the full collection of maps here: 40 Maps That Will Help You Make Sense of the World. Definitely worth a look see.
Hi Jim,
When you see how many countries drive on the left, are they all ‘molly-dukers’.
Many years ago at school in England we were told that males carried their swords on their left hip and walked on the left side of the path, and in case someone coming in the opposite direction was a fiend or robber, then the sword was drawn to defend oneself, even when on horseback. The same rule was in jousting, the horse was ridden on the left of the barrier when going forward, with the lance in the right hand, under the arm. This, to all intents and purposes, led to horses and carriages to travel on the left of the road when going forward, and continued into the motor vehicle era.
The reasons for travelling on the RHS of the road in other countries is an interesting read at :-
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/634/why-do-the-british-drive-on-the-left
Kind Regards,
Jonno on the Gold Coast.
MY MISTAKE Jim, “””When you see how many countries drive on the left,”””” left should be RIGHT ….sorry.
No problem Jonno. Left or right, it’s all a matter of perspective. Depends which way you are facing really. 🙂
Thanks for the link… interesting!
Cheers mate… Jim