Angola?
I love maps like this one, and a year or two ago I linked an earlier version. This one is from the Economist via Carpe Diem, and shows the name of the country whose GDP is similar in size to that of the state.
I have to criticize the map-maker, though. They used Thailand at least four times on this map -- the original version managed to do it without repeats. But I am amazed that Arizona ranks right there with Thailand. This is not to diss the rest of the state, which has a lot going for it, but in terms of population and economic activity, a huge percentage in in just one city, Phoenix.
I do have to wonder whether New Mexico being matched up with "Angola" is really very flattering, and pairing Mississippi with Bangladesh is funny on a couple of levels.
AntónioCostaAmaral (AA):
New Mexico population - 2M
January 14, 2011, 10:56 amAngola population - 13M+
Evil Red Scandi:
It would be more amusing to map the states to countries whose per-capita debt to GDP ratios are similar.
January 14, 2011, 12:09 pmMJ:
I think there's more than a little symbolism here. I love the pairing of California with Italy. Both have hopelessly corrupt governments and crushing debt loads. And Mississippi really is the Bangladesh of the US.
January 14, 2011, 4:21 pmEvil Red Scandi:
Yeah, but in defense of California, our women have better hair management. It's a small token in the grand scheme of things, but we go with what we have.
January 15, 2011, 1:42 ammahtso:
With respect to Arizona, (if memory serves) only about 20% of the state is private land, which I assume has a big impact on economics. The rest is Indian Reservations, National Forests, National Parks, BLM, military bases and ranges, National Monuments, and State Trust Land.
January 15, 2011, 8:20 amMikeinAppalachia:
Mississippi's pairing is more amusing than Alabama's? Maybe you could share such levels?
January 15, 2011, 8:41 pm