colonial history - World Visualized

colonial history

Colors and symbols on flags often carry universal meanings, like strength, peace, or heritage. B

World / 13 weeks ago

Shared stripes and colours: Why many national flags look alike

National flags are powerful symbols of identity, yet many look curiously similar to one another. From repeating colour schemes to common emblems and layouts, these resemblances are rarely coincidental. Often, shared flag designs trace back to historical alliances, cultural movements, political ideologies, or colonial ties. This article explores the fascinating reasons behind these flag look-alikes, from Pan-African and Pan-Arab colours to the Nordic cross, colonial-era legacies, and regional patterns across Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

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Culture / 15 weeks ago

What gasoline is called around the world and what it reveals about language

A new map released by World in Maps sheds light on how different countries around the world refer to gasoline, revealing not just linguistic preferences but also the lingering effects of colonial history and regional influences. The terminology for automotive fuel varies significantly by region. The word "petrol" is widely used in the United Kingdom, India, Australia, South Africa, and many other former British colonies, which reflects the legacy of British English.

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Maps / 27 weeks ago

Why Gambia has one of the strangest borders in the world

When you glance at a map of West Africa, one border stands out as unusually narrow and oddly shaped — The Gambia. It’s often referred to as having one of the weirdest borders in the world, and for good reason: Gambia is a long, thin sliver of land that stretches inland for about 300 miles, hugging the Gambia River, and is almost entirely surrounded by Senegal on all sides except for a small western coast. But why is Gambia shaped this way? The answer lies in colonial history, rivalry, and the strategic importance of rivers.

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Maps / 35 weeks ago

The history behind countries with 'Guinea' in their official names

The presence of "Guinea" in the names of several countries can be traced back to colonial history, European exploration, and the geographical labeling used during those times. The term "Guinea" likely originates from a Berber or West African word such as "Ghiné" or "Akal n-Iguinawen" (meaning "land of the black people"). European traders and explorers in the 15th century used the term "Guinea" to describe a broad coastal region in West Africa known for its trade in gold, ivory, and enslaved people.

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