#SOTD 98: A simple visual to compare populations (Amazing Maps)
![SOTD96](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/SOTD96-770x400.jpg)
#SOTD 98: A simple visual to compare populations (Amazing Maps)
Consider this Wikipedia table about population by country in Africa.
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20220720-African-countries-popn.jpg)
Notice something unusual?
If you look at the table closely, you will see the following trends:
1. Nigeria is the most populous country by far
2. South Africa is surprisingly smaller in comparison
3. If you exclude some regions – especially Egypt and East Africa (Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya etc.) – the other countries are not very heavily populated, despite many of them being in the tropical zone.
Keeping these in mind, a Twitter handle called Amazing Maps created a very cool visual to show how Africa’s population density varies significantly across the continent (the red area roughly corresponds to Nigeria).
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20220720-African-map.jpg)
Such a simple yet powerful visual to make the point!
If you are wondering as to the reason for this disparity, the answer is two features: the Sahara desert and rainforests!
Incidentally, the same handle had also created a striking visual showing the incredible density of the Indo-Gangetic plain (which I call as the most populous piece of real estate on earth).
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20220720-India-World-map.jpg)
Be creative in your use of visuals to make your point – and make your numbers relatable.
#SOTD 98
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-196.png)