Travel and Geography infographics

What this collection covers

Of the 17 infographics, the physical geography ones cover the largest oceans, seas, lakes and rivers, the countries with the most islands, the most populated islands and the highest peak on each continent. World maps show the newest countries since 1990, the true size of Africa and public holidays by country. Road charts rank all 77 US interstates by length and name each state's longest highway. Travel guides cover German etiquette, the Schengen entry rules, tourist arrivals by country and the safest and most dangerous US national parks. Lighter pieces cover traditional hats, plants and animals in US city nicknames, the New York skyline and one traveller's 2024 recap.

Where to start

The 50 Largest Bodies of Water, Ranked by Size by Tower Paddle Boards puts the Pacific first at 60,000,000 square miles, the Caspian Sea is the largest lake at 143,000 square miles and the Nile is the longest river system at 4,130 miles. For islands, Statista's Country With the Most Islands, Top 15 Ranked gives Sweden an estimated 267,570.

Kai Krause's 2010 map, The True Size of Africa Map by Kai Krause, fits the United States, China, India, Japan and much of Europe inside Africa, and his table puts those 18 countries at 30.1 million km², just under Africa's 30.2 million km². Julie Peasley's Newest Countries in the World Since 1990, Mapped marks 31 countries, 15 of them from the break-up of the Soviet Union, with South Sudan, independent since 9 July 2011, the youngest.

For trip planning, the ETIAS Travel Authorization Europe Infographic, EES and 90/180 from 90-180.eu shows how three rules fit one trip. You apply for ETIAS before travelling, the EES records you at entry and exit, and a short stay means up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The EU says ETIAS is not yet in operation. The German Embassy in Washington's Do's and Don'ts in Germany, a Cultural Guide advises using the formal Sie until invited to use du and not starting to eat before others.