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---
title: Funny U.S. Maps: 19 Hilariously Revealing Maps of America
description: Here are 19 surprising maps of the United States that you won&#x27;t find in a textbook
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author: Laura Stampler
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article:published_time: 2014-08-05T16:17:07.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T04:48:46.859Z
og:title: 19 Hilariously Revealing U.S. Maps You Won&#x27;t Find in a Textbook
og:description: Including Craigslist missed connections, lake-monster sightings, and states nobody can remember. (Sorry, Minnesota!)
og:url: https://time.com/21924/funny-us-maps/
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twitter:title: 19 Hilariously Revealing U.S. Maps You Won&#x27;t Find in a Textbook
twitter:description: Including Craigslist missed connections, lake-monster sightings, and states nobody can remember. (Sorry, Minnesota!)
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# 19 Awesomely Revealing U.S. Maps You Won't Find in a Textbook

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by 

[Laura Stampler](https://time.com/author/laura-stampler/)


## Laura Stampler


Aug 5, 2014 4:17 PM UTC

by 

[Laura Stampler](https://time.com/author/laura-stampler/)


## Laura Stampler


Aug 5, 2014 4:17 PM UTC

**1\. The map that suggests everyone in Wisconsin is drunk right now.**

_More info_ [_via Flowing Data_](http://flowingdata.com/2010/03/02/where-bars-trump-grocery-stores/)

**2\. As is everyone in Oregon.**  
<http://vinepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/per-capita-wineries-per-state-2012-heatmap-preview.png>

_More info_ [_via VinePair_](http://vinepair.com/etc-blog/states-wineries-per-capita-america/)

**3\. The map that reveals every state’s top porn search.**  
<http://i2.wp.com/flowingdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/pornhub-searches.png>

_More info_ [_here_](http://flowingdata.com/2013/09/03/most-popular-porn-searches-by-state/)

**4\. The map that proves you’ve probably been to Pizza Hut.**  
<http://i0.wp.com/flowingdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/pizza-all-map-2c.png>

_More info_ [_here_](http://flowingdata.com/2013/10/14/pizza-place-geography/)

**5\.** **The map that proves you’ve** **_definitely_** **been to Wal-Mart.**

_More info_ [_here_](http://all-that-is-interesting.com/the-explosive-growth-of-walmart-in-america)

**6\. And McDonald’s.**  
<http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3950030287%5F5153c67d2f%5Fo.jpg>

_More info_ [_here_](http://www.datapointed.net/2009/09/distance-to-nearest-mcdonalds/)

**7\. The map** **that’s trying to prove…something** **.**

_More info_ [_via I Love Charts_](http://ilovecharts.tumblr.com/post/49771467586/isomorphismes-population-distribution-of-the)

**8\. The map that suggests Oklahoma singles should attend the state fair.**  
<http://sullydish.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/zi-1175-2013-j-f00-idsi-76-1.jpg>

_More info via_ [_Andrew Sullivan_](http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2013/02/21/the-saddest-map-in-america/)

**9\. The map that shows where you’re most likely to get struck by lightning.**

**PHOTOS:** [The Beauty of Lightning](http://science.time.com/2013/06/24/bolts-from-the-blue-the-beauty-of-lightning/)  
_More info_ [_here_](http://newsfeed.time.com/2014/02/28/this-map-shows-where-in-the-u-s-you-have-the-highest-chance-of-getting-struck-by-lightning/)

**10\. The map that quantifies Florida’s undying love for Rick Ross.**  
<http://musicmachinery.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/distinctive%5Fartist%5Fmap2.png>


_More info_ [_here_](http://time.com/9709/here-is-a-map-of-every-states-favorite-band/)

**11\. The map that shows Americans can’t agree on how to pronounce** **_crayon_** **…**  
<http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/51af5dbfecad04a94600000c-1200/americans-cant-even-agree-how-to-pronounce-crayon.jpg>

_More info_ [_here_](http://spark.rstudio.com/jkatz/SurveyMaps/)

**12\. …or** **_mayonnaise_** **.**  
<http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/51af5dc269bedd0e1b000004-1200/we-are-a-nation-divided-over-mayonnaise.jpg>

_More info_ [_here_](http://spark.rstudio.com/jkatz/SurveyMaps/)

**13\. The map that will make you feel poor.**  
<http://frac.tl/richest/img/usamap.png>

_More info via_ [_Movoto_](http://www.movoto.com/blog/opinions/wealthiest-person-map/)

**14\. The map that will make Alaskans feel lonely.**

_More info_ [_here_](http://mapsbynik.tumblr.com/post/82791188950/nobody-lives-here-the-nearly-5-million-census)

**15\. The map that quantifies the invasion of cows.**  
<http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4565291/animals2007%5Fbig.png>

_More info_ [_here_](http://www.vox.com/a/explain-food-america)

**16\. The map that highlights lake-monster sightings.**

_More info via_ [_Atlas Obscura_](http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/map-of-american-lake-monsters)

**17\. The map that confirms the spread of Smith.**  
<http://bp3.uuuploads.com/fun-maps/fun-maps-14.jpg>

_More info_ [_via National Geographic_](http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/02/geography/usa-surnames-interactive)

**18\. The map that proves there are no Oakland As fans.**  
<http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-ZH655%5Ftest%5FNS%5F20140330195902.jpg>


_More info_ [_here_](http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304157204579471490742024768)

**19\. And the map that will school a lot of you on state geography (or not).**  
<http://ispol.com/sasha/remembered/remembered.png>

_More info_ [_here_](http://ispol.com/sasha/remembered/remembered.png)

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