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Simon Kuestenmacher

@simongerman600 • 295,362 subscribers

German #geographer and #demographer in #Melbourne. I curate #maps and #data that explain how the #world works. Obviously all opinions are my own...

Shorts

If you have this weird gut feeling that the rich pay little tax in the US, your gut is spot on... Source:

If you have this weird gut feeling that the rich pay little tax in the US, your gut is spot on... Source:

1,307,766 Aufrufe

A fantastic animation showing how the Great Salt Lake region changed between 1985 and 2025. Watch the lake and wetlands shrink and expand, while the red footprint of cities and roads steadily spreads across the landscape. A neat four-decade snapshot of environmental and urban change. HT USGS

A fantastic animation showing how the Great Salt Lake region changed between 1985 and 2025. Watch the lake and wetlands shrink and expand, while the red footprint of cities and roads steadily spreads across the landscape. A neat four-decade snapshot of environmental and urban change. HT USGS

69,015 Aufrufe

Another animated true size type of map. This lovely version is from the great Milan Janosov.

Another animated true size type of map. This lovely version is from the great Milan Janosov.

171,918 Aufrufe

Rivers are alive. A 50-year sequence of Peru’s Ucayali River shows how a river constantly shifts its bed, reshapes landscapes and redraws maps. Rivers move, ecosystems respond and planning must learn to work with that movement rather than pretend landscapes stay fixed. Source:

Rivers are alive. A 50-year sequence of Peru’s Ucayali River shows how a river constantly shifts its bed, reshapes landscapes and redraws maps. Rivers move, ecosystems respond and planning must learn to work with that movement rather than pretend landscapes stay fixed. Source:

83,238 Aufrufe

This animated globe shows 24 hours of heat and fire detections captured by NASA satellites, with the previous week’s burn scars in the background. Not every dot is a wildfire. Many are agricultural burns, industrial heat or gas flares. But the scale reminds us just how much of our planet is burning at any given moment. Source:

This animated globe shows 24 hours of heat and fire detections captured by NASA satellites, with the previous week’s burn scars in the background. Not every dot is a wildfire. Many are agricultural burns, industrial heat or gas flares. But the scale reminds us just how much of our planet is burning at any given moment. Source:

18,045 Aufrufe

It's the early 1930s and you travel from London to Cairo via train. Imagine what this would've felt like. Exhausting, exhilarating, dangerous? This lovely animated map by Tatiana Pashagina allows us to dream about traveling the old Orient Express.

It's the early 1930s and you travel from London to Cairo via train. Imagine what this would've felt like. Exhausting, exhilarating, dangerous? This lovely animated map by Tatiana Pashagina allows us to dream about traveling the old Orient Express.

23,337 Aufrufe

A great #badgeographyjoke in the form of an animated map by @mirzakok

A great #badgeographyjoke in the form of an animated map by @mirzakok

28,419 Aufrufe

This super cool isometric map of NYC was created with Claude and Gemini without any human coding involved. It's fun to explore the city that never sleeps in this lovely SimCity-esque style. Source:

This super cool isometric map of NYC was created with Claude and Gemini without any human coding involved. It's fun to explore the city that never sleeps in this lovely SimCity-esque style. Source:

36,524 Aufrufe

This animated map allows us to watch Manhattan grow up, literally. We see New York’s building boom from 1765 to 2014, as colonial houses give way to brownstones, tenements, skyscrapers, art deco icons, post-war towers and today’s luxury high-rises. A lot of urban history in one neat visual. Source:

This animated map allows us to watch Manhattan grow up, literally. We see New York’s building boom from 1765 to 2014, as colonial houses give way to brownstones, tenements, skyscrapers, art deco icons, post-war towers and today’s luxury high-rises. A lot of urban history in one neat visual. Source:

17,299 Aufrufe

This animated map shows us the aftermath of the Super Bowl. A huge exodus of private jets from the Bay Area airports began. We departures from five local hubs (SFO, OAK, SJC, LVK, and HWD) between 3:00 and 10:00 UTC. The rich can easily get tickets to the event and travel isn't an issue either. Source:

This animated map shows us the aftermath of the Super Bowl. A huge exodus of private jets from the Bay Area airports began. We departures from five local hubs (SFO, OAK, SJC, LVK, and HWD) between 3:00 and 10:00 UTC. The rich can easily get tickets to the event and travel isn't an issue either. Source:

28,143 Aufrufe

This map shows the radioactive cloud moving through Europe after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. This was super scary and set off a strong anti-nuclear sentiment. To this day the Green political movement is linked to its anti-nuclear roots. Source:

This map shows the radioactive cloud moving through Europe after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. This was super scary and set off a strong anti-nuclear sentiment. To this day the Green political movement is linked to its anti-nuclear roots. Source:

37,598 Aufrufe

A friendly reminder that for many mountain enthusiasts K2 is considered The Mountaineers' Mountain or The King of Mountains.

A friendly reminder that for many mountain enthusiasts K2 is considered The Mountaineers' Mountain or The King of Mountains.

34,196 Aufrufe

A week on planet earth. This animated map shows the global temperatures in early March of 2026. Source:

A week on planet earth. This animated map shows the global temperatures in early March of 2026. Source:

20,173 Aufrufe

This animated map shows how far you can travel by train from Paris in 1 to 12 hours. Build your own version here:

This animated map shows how far you can travel by train from Paris in 1 to 12 hours. Build your own version here:

31,182 Aufrufe

I frequently present data on population change but hadn't seen a visual that shows population loss in such a dark way. The short video shows population loss of Indigenous American populations over relatively short periods. Source:

I frequently present data on population change but hadn't seen a visual that shows population loss in such a dark way. The short video shows population loss of Indigenous American populations over relatively short periods. Source:

27,348 Aufrufe

To counter my previous post about Italy, here is an extremely different case. Qatar grew its population based on (let's call it) cheap imported male laborers who built a whole lot out of nearly nothing in the desert. Source:

To counter my previous post about Italy, here is an extremely different case. Qatar grew its population based on (let's call it) cheap imported male laborers who built a whole lot out of nearly nothing in the desert. Source:

18,390 Aufrufe

This animated map shows tidal movements around the globe. Sure, a legend would've been welcome. The red dots show areas without significant tidal movement. Locate your closest shoreline on the map and enjoy the show. Source: HT Marine Gyaan

This animated map shows tidal movements around the globe. Sure, a legend would've been welcome. The red dots show areas without significant tidal movement. Locate your closest shoreline on the map and enjoy the show. Source: HT Marine Gyaan

13,460 Aufrufe

Videos

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It's the neighbourhood, stupid! That’s where community happens. What if we applied Ireland’s policy stack to a single street? You’d get less space for cars and more for people. Safer walking. Better public transport. Greenery woven in. More reasons to stop, chat, belong. Policy only matters if it shows up on your street. Source:

It's the neighbourhood, stupid! That’s where community happens. What if we applied Ireland’s policy stack to a single street? You’d get less space for cars and more for people. Safer walking. Better public transport. Greenery woven in. More reasons to stop, chat, belong. Policy only matters if it shows up on your street. Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

950,395 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

This is a berry good map. The distribution of 19 types of berries native to North America are shown in this interactive map. Source:

This is a berry good map. The distribution of 19 types of berries native to North America are shown in this interactive map. Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

2,957,266 Aufrufe • vor 3 Jahren

Trains reveal urban geography: Germany and the Benelux form a dense web of connected cities, while France’s network radiates from Paris. The map is as much a portrait of settlement patterns as transport infrastructure. Source:

Trains reveal urban geography: Germany and the Benelux form a dense web of connected cities, while France’s network radiates from Paris. The map is as much a portrait of settlement patterns as transport infrastructure. Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

11,219 Aufrufe • vor 4 Tagen

Bye, Russia! Animation shows where Germany has been getting its natural gas from. Source:

Bye, Russia! Animation shows where Germany has been getting its natural gas from. Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

2,172,469 Aufrufe • vor 3 Jahren

Force yourself to watch this 30 second animated map. We see four years of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. Map Source:

Force yourself to watch this 30 second animated map. We see four years of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. Map Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

154,281 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

This cool animated maps shows how the London Tube map evolved over the past 163 years, using real geography rather than the stylised Tube map that you are familiar with. Source:

This cool animated maps shows how the London Tube map evolved over the past 163 years, using real geography rather than the stylised Tube map that you are familiar with. Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

64,844 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

This animated version of the NASA climate spiral is worth watching until the end when the graphic turns 3D. Source:

This animated version of the NASA climate spiral is worth watching until the end when the graphic turns 3D. Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

54,129 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

400 years of data in one animation: global power never stands still. From Asian dominance to Western industrial rise and now China’s surge, the centre of gravity keeps shifting. Today’s turmoil feels new, but history says it’s the norm. Source:

400 years of data in one animation: global power never stands still. From Asian dominance to Western industrial rise and now China’s surge, the centre of gravity keeps shifting. Today’s turmoil feels new, but history says it’s the norm. Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

114,096 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

Here are some European train journeys for your bucket list!

Here are some European train journeys for your bucket list!

Simon Kuestenmacher

157,116 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

Atlantic currents aren’t some distant risk. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is already weakening, and if it tips, the consequences are real: a colder Europe, disrupted food systems, frozen ports, energy shortages. This isn’t a 2100 problem. It’s happening now. Source:

Atlantic currents aren’t some distant risk. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is already weakening, and if it tips, the consequences are real: a colder Europe, disrupted food systems, frozen ports, energy shortages. This isn’t a 2100 problem. It’s happening now. Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

91,371 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

To say this is a problem is a gigantic understatement. We live in the golden age of AI slop. Hopefully we will soon gain the right control the algorithms that control our online life in order to filter out AI slop to a large degree.

To say this is a problem is a gigantic understatement. We live in the golden age of AI slop. Hopefully we will soon gain the right control the algorithms that control our online life in order to filter out AI slop to a large degree.

Simon Kuestenmacher

185,049 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

This funky little animation shows the June 2026 heatwave sweeping across Europe day by day. It's oddly hypnotic, a bit weird, and surprisingly fun to watch, even if the underlying story is a serious one. Source:

This funky little animation shows the June 2026 heatwave sweeping across Europe day by day. It's oddly hypnotic, a bit weird, and surprisingly fun to watch, even if the underlying story is a serious one. Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

25,783 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

What would be left of the world's oceans if we pulled a 10m plug in the Marianas Trench emptying the water? Silly exercise but great to watch! Inspiration: Source:

What would be left of the world's oceans if we pulled a 10m plug in the Marianas Trench emptying the water? Silly exercise but great to watch! Inspiration: Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

539,358 Aufrufe • vor 3 Jahren

Animated map shows the history of US American settlement (post Columbus). We end up seeing about 2500 cities and towns. Pretty amazing to watch. Source:

Animated map shows the history of US American settlement (post Columbus). We end up seeing about 2500 cities and towns. Pretty amazing to watch. Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

439,973 Aufrufe • vor 3 Jahren

This marvellous interactive tool tells you where any passport can take you. This is based on live data too. Really cool website. Make sure to check it out:

This marvellous interactive tool tells you where any passport can take you. This is based on live data too. Really cool website. Make sure to check it out:

Simon Kuestenmacher

43,604 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

Australia’s housing crisis isn’t only about failing to build enough new homes. It’s also about existing homes not returning to the market. Around 4.5 million Baby Boomers are now aged between 62 and 80, and many are staying in large family homes much longer than previous generations. The result is a demographic traffic jam. Younger families struggle to move into established suburbs, while older Australians often remain stuck in homes that no longer suit them because downsizing options are limited and stamp duty makes moving expensive. In the latest episode of Demographics Decoded Michael Yardney and I explore “Boomergeddon”, the delayed turnover of Baby Boomer housing, and what it means for property prices, wealth transfers and Australia’s housing market over the coming decades. Listen here:

Australia’s housing crisis isn’t only about failing to build enough new homes. It’s also about existing homes not returning to the market. Around 4.5 million Baby Boomers are now aged between 62 and 80, and many are staying in large family homes much longer than previous generations. The result is a demographic traffic jam. Younger families struggle to move into established suburbs, while older Australians often remain stuck in homes that no longer suit them because downsizing options are limited and stamp duty makes moving expensive. In the latest episode of Demographics Decoded Michael Yardney and I explore “Boomergeddon”, the delayed turnover of Baby Boomer housing, and what it means for property prices, wealth transfers and Australia’s housing market over the coming decades. Listen here:

Simon Kuestenmacher

17,368 Aufrufe • vor 28 Tagen

This animated map shows 196 years worth of passenger rail in Great Britain. They come, they go. Let's just say that these days no Brit would dream up a character like Thomas the Tank Engine.

This animated map shows 196 years worth of passenger rail in Great Britain. They come, they go. Let's just say that these days no Brit would dream up a character like Thomas the Tank Engine.

Simon Kuestenmacher

29,804 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

Manhattanhenge is about to happen again! Here is the 23rd street full alignment for 11 July 2026 visualized in Shadowmap. Video source: Shadowmap:

Manhattanhenge is about to happen again! Here is the 23rd street full alignment for 11 July 2026 visualized in Shadowmap. Video source: Shadowmap:

Simon Kuestenmacher

18,364 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Just a bit of Australian state border geography humour. Surely that's not too niche for you?! Source:

Just a bit of Australian state border geography humour. Surely that's not too niche for you?! Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

137,884 Aufrufe • vor 2 Jahren

This great animated map shows how daylight hours vary across the globe throughout the year. Source:

This great animated map shows how daylight hours vary across the globe throughout the year. Source:

Simon Kuestenmacher

36,792 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten