Taiyoh Pokemon Nation

Taiyoh is a fan-made Pokemon nation. It is based on Japan. In fact, the resemblance is so strong that I came across these pages when looking for maps of Japan.

I will refrain from commenting on Pokemon given my lack of knowledge. However, I like the look and feel of this map. It's nice to see fantasy maps that aren't obvious attempts at stealing the Tolkien motif. Here is a close-up of the Kanto region, the capital located and shaped quite a bit like Tokyo Bay.

Looking at the author's Lunos nation, there's a definite style to his cartography.

Finally, here's the Karai Region.

 I can't quite place it but these shapes seem a bit familiar too.

The Inequalities of Climate Change

There was much talk, if not much action, at the recent COP27 conference about wealthier countries compensating poorer ones for the impacts of climate change. The poorer countries see the largest impacts, while contributing the least to the problem. This map illustrates the problem well. Unfortunately, I could not find a clearer version of it-this one is from Al-Monitor

The larger hexagons show higher per capita carbon emissions while the redder colors represent vulnerability to climate change. 

There is another version of the map via Arab News-this one has a truly bad and confusing color scheme (the "more" colors should be reversed) but the text is identical. In other words, read this map for the details but use the other one to see the pattern-this one just muddies the message.

Artwork of Mary Edna Fraser

Those who have read this blog over the years know that I love the intersection of art and cartography. One of my recent discoveries is artist Mary Edna Fraser. Her textile work (from silks to rugs) and paintings range from the continental scale,

East Coast, US-batik on silk

to the local scale.  

Edisto (South Carolina) -Batik on Silk

She has done some stunning works depicting hurricanes such as this one

Hurricane Season-batik on silk

Her rugs are also very nice.

Ashley River

She helped organize a civic art and event-based discussion on rising sea levels that included this banner hung on the Joseph Floyd Manor in Charleston, South Carolina showing NOAA predicted flooding in the area.

Her work has been commissioned by government agencies, non-profit organizations, universities, hospitals and other companies around the world. Her main artist page is here where you can get lost in the wealth of examples.

Huge Lego Model of the Lake District

Artist Jon Tordoff has made a 100 square foot, 200,000 piece (so far) Lego model of England's Lake District.

via Getty Images

 The model began as a pandemic recreation map of Buttermere, his favorite spot. 

"Now I've come over the Honister Pass, up Borrowdale and I've got Derwent Water heading towards Keswick now in the next valley," he said.

The model will be displayed at the Belper Library in Derbyshire (just north of his home in Milford) on January 6th and 7th.

All quotes and images taken from this BBC article where you can read more.